i just started my new 10G and the ph readings were always 6.0? Does any1 know what causes this? I changed 70% of water for 3 days already ph still drops down to 6.0 and yes i tested my tap water its fine... i even cleaned out the whole 10G for a new start, but the problem was still not resolved. i even used a ph buffer and after a few hours it went back down to 6.0?
PH crash?
- Thread starter Rawrs.
- Start date
It is probably your filter...this happened to me...to much waste on pads from fish poop and left over food...I cleaned the pads on mine but not the biological part and the ph started to raise again with water changes.
To make things simple, Fish poop + Water = ammonia, Ammonia + bacteria = Nitrite and then > Nitrate. In that process, Bacteria consume Oxygen and give off Co2. Large quantities of Co2 + Water = Carbonic Acid.
So basically the more Co2 in you water, the lower the pH.
Either your bioload could be too high, or your air pump isn't good enough since your water tap is testing fine.
Or one other possibility, your water conditioner lower's pH. For sure some betta water conditioners do this, I can't recall any others off the top of my head that do the same.
So basically the more Co2 in you water, the lower the pH.
Either your bioload could be too high, or your air pump isn't good enough since your water tap is testing fine.
Or one other possibility, your water conditioner lower's pH. For sure some betta water conditioners do this, I can't recall any others off the top of my head that do the same.
As far as I know, PH drop is caused by fish waste and un eaten food. When ammonia rises, ph will go lower. So more likely your ammonia level is in danger level.Rawrs.;3877744; said:
You said you just started, your filter may have not fully cycled. If you just started, it's best that you don't put fish in your tank. If you have then try not to feed them for a week. (they'll survive trust me)
And...
Don't change too much water as you will never get your filter cycled. 30% everyday and add bacteria booster (seachem stability is very good). But becareful, bacteria won't survive in low ph. Check your PH first after you change water. If it is below 6.8, add ph up buffer little by little (every 10 min) until your PH goes up to 6.8. Do not add too much buffer as you will stress the fish even more. Or use lime stone/texas holey rock as natural PH up buffer.
So stop feeding fish for a week and for that week, change water 30% everyday and add stability every day after water change (make sure ph is up to 6.8 at least)
It's a new tank, so waste isn't likely the cause...
You said you tested your tap water and it was "fine"... what was the actual reading?
It's a good idea to put tap water in a clean glass, stir it several times over the course of several hours... then test the PH. Sometimes the water can collected gases or minerials in the pipes that give you a "false reading" right out of the tap.
As others have described, organic waste is acidic, and the acids in the waste lower PH...
Decent water dechlorinators shoudl not affect PH in any way...
Store bought ammonia is a water ammonia mix od 6~12% ammonia (depending on brand). These mixtures have a PH of around 11.5 The ammonia is not the 'source' of the acids, but the organic waste is acidic as well as 'ammoniaic' (or ammoniay)
You said you tested your tap water and it was "fine"... what was the actual reading?
It's a good idea to put tap water in a clean glass, stir it several times over the course of several hours... then test the PH. Sometimes the water can collected gases or minerials in the pipes that give you a "false reading" right out of the tap.
As others have described, organic waste is acidic, and the acids in the waste lower PH...
Decent water dechlorinators shoudl not affect PH in any way...
Store bought ammonia is a water ammonia mix od 6~12% ammonia (depending on brand). These mixtures have a PH of around 11.5 The ammonia is not the 'source' of the acids, but the organic waste is acidic as well as 'ammoniaic' (or ammoniay)