PH stability??

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crager44

Gambusia
MFK Member
Jan 24, 2009
103
0
16
Boston MA
Not sure what to do. The PH out of my tap is 7.0 with a carbonate hardness of 0. The PH in my tanks will quickly drop right of the map. My test kit goes to 5 and it seems to go way below (3 or 4 maybe). I searched this site and figured I would try crushed coral in the filter. That quickly brought it up to around 6.5. Problem is when I do weekly water changes (1/3 tank is 240g). It drops down to around 5.2 and slowly climbs to 6.8 by the time I do another water change. I'm thinking this swing is more harmful than letting it drop of the map?? Can anyone help?? Thank you.
 
crager44;4095582; said:
Not sure what to do. The PH out of my tap is 7.0 with a carbonate hardness of 0. The PH in my tanks will quickly drop right of the map. My test kit goes to 5 and it seems to go way below (3 or 4 maybe). I searched this site and figured I would try crushed coral in the filter. That quickly brought it up to around 6.5. Problem is when I do weekly water changes (1/3 tank is 240g). It drops down to around 5.2 and slowly climbs to 6.8 by the time I do another water change. I'm thinking this swing is more harmful than letting it drop of the map?? Can anyone help?? Thank you.
Why the dramatic drop?Do you have alot of driftwood? it would have to be quite a bit to do this.
 
It happened to my tank...suddenly in around 1-2 hours the Ph level droped from around 7 - 4,5 and almost all of my P bass's eyes became cloudy, i put more chalcareus rocks and corals @ the filter and to increase your Ph level for a while u should add natrium bicarbonat into your tank...
 
Thanks for the replys,
I have no driftwood in tank. I forgot to mention I do add salt to the tank (1 tbl sp to 5 gal) is "natrium bicarbonat" baking soda? I read some where the low carbonate hardness could be causing the swing? Coral doesn't seem to increase that.
 
I'm having a similar issue but my tap is 7.6 and I'm having a hard time trying to keep a 7.0 in my tank. I have to keep an eye on this post to see what comes of it. Sorry I have no solutions.
 
add baking soda in intravals example : 1tsp per day until water is stable. Its a pain but it works and ull eventually learn how much ur tank needs until the next water change
 
Ok,
Added a pinpoint pH monitor, 1 4x8 bag of crushed coral in one of the canister filters and a dose of Blue line KH buffer one week Before i did my weekly water change (1/3 in the 240). PH crept up to 7.25 and stayed there for the week. After a water change, PH dropped to 6.85. Within a day up to 7.10. two days and is at 7.20 and appears to be stable. Much less of a swing now. Is this acceptable? Thanks
 
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