PH Issue in 55 GAL

[steve0199us]

Hi All- So I just set up a 55gal, I bot some used white gravel that had little pebbles, sand and tiny shells mixed in from an aquarium. I have about 5 pieces of big drift wood in the tank with various common plants... and, I just got rid of a major ICH issue, lost about 30 something tropical fish..

But, my issue that I couldn't get rid of was the PH, when I test the water it's ROYAL BLUE... From day one over a month ago until yesterday...

I also have a Blood parrot, upside down catfish and clown loach set up in a 95 gallon, the PH in there is the total opposite, PH is highlight yellow. I have regular gravel in this tank. the fish seem to be cool, I've had this going for a few years now... I do water changes once a week, occasionally twice a week with 20-25% a pop for both tanks...
The fish seem to be fine, I've read a number of opinions that PH doesn't matter.. But I would like to try and neutralize the PH a bit in both tanks..

Any advice or suggestions?? I kind want to leave the gravel I have now... I'm open to all suggestions...



Thanks,
Steve

 

[Toodleypops]

i guess im nnot sure what the royal blue means?? is that too high or way to low?

 

[Toodleypops]

or highlight yellow for that matter

 

[sargie]

blue is high yellow is around 7.0 what i have heard with a high ph is that at high ph levels amonia stays as ammonia but if you have a ph of 7.0 it becomes the less toxic ammonium wether thats true or not i dont know but if it is then thats why a lower ph would be better.

there are products on the market that will ower or raise your ph.

such as

http://www.rockbottomaquatics.co.uk/prod.php?prod=417

i have heard that these products work although i havnt tried them myself.

 

[ProblEmZ]

What are you usiing to test the water? Test strips or liquid test kit? What kind of fish? Filtration? Maintenance schedule?

 

[Cichlaholics Anonymous]

I wouldn't use the usual chemicals sold at LFS to lower the pH, I'd rather aim for the stable pH (like whatever comes out of the tap) rather than play around with the pH chemicals every time you do water changes etc. The exception is if you're breeding something that requires lower pH, or really sensitive fish

 

[Toodleypops]

yeah i pretty sure its true that Ammonia is way more toxic at higher PH levels

and i agree, dont use chemicals to lower it.

 

[Fallen]

ya ammonia is more toxic with a higher PH but once the tank is cycled and the ammonia is at zero it won't matter anymore.
If you use any PH lowering chemicals it will only be a short term fix and will kill your live plants.
I keep my Discus in a PH of 7.4 same as my tap water. It shows up royal blue with a liquid test kit. Get yourself a high range PH test kit. It will let you know just how high your PH really is.

If I really wanted to force my PH down. I would add peat to my filter media but unless it's some way out high range I would just worry about keeping it stable.

 

[Toodleypops]

If I really wanted to force my PH down. I would add peat to my filter media but unless it's some way out high range I would just worry about keeping it stable.

yeah i forgot about that, i was sitting here thinking there was something natural i heard works

 

[Bawb2u]

If there are little shells in it, you're probably using crushed coral for substrate which will raise your pH to about 8.4 over time. Test your pH out of your tap and see what that is, if it's lower than your tank water, that's what's going on. If that's the case and you want a lower pH, you're going to have to change the substrate.