Ph keep crashing. Crushed coral experts needed

[cchhcc]

How does your tap water test? Put some aside for 24 hours and then test it (that allows the gasses to settle out so you get a true assessment).

 

[CoryWM]

I'm gonna do the 24 hour test again. This has been an ongoing issue for me since I moved into this house. I did the 24 hour test about a year ago, and after anything had gassed off, it was still the same as normal tap water.

I did add 20 lb of ivory coast gravel to the tank. I'll probably be adding 2-3 more bags as I like the look of it.

As of Thursday night, I was up to about 40-60 buffer. Buffer helps keep the water from changing ph correct? I assume this means both ways, IE, if the water is acidic and has alot of buffer, it's gonna be hard to get it to go up?

I also tried supplying a powerhead with air from outside, to see if it was a CO2 issue in my closed garage that was tanking the ph. Seemed to have no effect.

 

[1974Pantera]

I think part of your problem is during WC's. Either you are doing them too frequent or taking too much water out at time.

Get some limestone in that tank! Keeping adding materials to increase both the Gh and Kh.

On other tip is to add an airstone or mount powerheads close to the surface of your tank for maximum surface aggitation which will express away CO2.

 

[1974Pantera]

You should shoot for a Kh of 150+ppm.

One last note...is all your filter media clean? Any organic matter in the tank lowers your Ph.

 

[mfgl]

Id kill to switch places with you. My tap water is 7.6 and I would like it down around 6.6.....not having any luck at all.

 

[mfgl]

I have some rocks I found in the river in my tank....I wonder if some of them are limestone or something....that are making the ph go up. I guess the on ly way to know is to take them out and see what happens.

 

[Mr Pleco]

I have some rocks I found in the river in my tank....I wonder if some of them are limestone or something....that are making the ph go up. I guess the on ly way to know is to take them out and see what happens.

I always use the vinegar test, place a few drops of white vinegar on the rock if it bubbles/foams, the rock doesn't go in the tank..

From a google search:
Safe Rocks:

• Crystalline Quartz
• (Rock Crystal, Amethyst, Citrine, Rose Quartz, Smokey Quartz)
• Granite
• Jade
• Lava Rock
• Microcrystalline Quartz
  (Jasper, Agate, Chalcedony, Sard, Carnelian)
• Onyx
• Petrified Wood
• Quartz
• Slate

Unsafe Rocks:

• Coal
  (Commercially harvested coal is treated with an oil by-product to reduce dust)
• Coral
• Dolomite
• Fools Gold
  (or any other rock with metallic veins--Acid Producing)
• Fossils
• Limestone
• Marble
• Sandstone

 

[cchhcc]

Also, it may be as simple as your test kit is malfunctioning.