pH swinging after wc

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Casper2000

Casper2000

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 19, 2008
1,132
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New York City
Every time I do my weekly wc my pH drops down to an acidic 6.5 so I'm constantly adding some pH upper to raise it back up again. Is there a way to keep pH at a constant 7.5 w/o chemicals? I'm adding crushed coral to the tank today but I heard that it's a very gradual increase at best.
 
What is the Ph from the tap? What stock are you trying to keep? If you can keep it steady, how is it swinging?
 
Measure the pH out of the tap immediately, then put some in a glass and measure again a few hours later and see it it changed. You may have to put your water in a container and let it stabalize.
 
Crushed coral can raise the PH to just over 8, this is what I use in my african tank.

You could get your hands on some sort of resivour with a small filter which has crushed coral in it to raise the PH before you put it in the tank... No?
 
Spizz - what do you mean by "if you can keep it steady, how is it swining?" I never said I could keep it steady, I'm asking what I can do to keep it steady. I'm keeping ca/sa cichlids in it and its slightly overstocked (1 bifa, 2 jd, 1 lyonsi, 1 lucostica) its a 72 bow front. Not all the fish are staying though, thinking of only keeping the bifa. Filtration is a eheim pro and a ac110.

Ok I just tested the water from the tap and its a sold 8 in pH, I'll put some tap water in a cup and test it's pH later today. I'm thinking there's something wrong with my tank water. I checked params and they're all good ammonia zero etc etc. Before I do my wc its always at 7-7.5 but the next day after the water change it drops to 6.5 :nilly:
 
I assumed when you said "I always add ph up" it was constant. I think your problem is buffering capacity. Buffer the water with some sodium bicarb and see if it helps. Add a tablespoon at a time, and test daily. Maintaining a strong buffering capacity, will in-effect stabilize your ph.
 
Ah I see, sorry I shoulda made that more clear. I usually add the pH up when I notice the swing but recently the swings come after every wc. I'll try adding sodium bicarb and see how it turns out, any product you recommend?
 
Sodium bicarbonate will help but it is best to understand what you are doing with your water. You need to test your carbonate hardness, this is the buffering capacity of your water and do not confuse this with general hardness.

How much water do you change, how often do you change it, and what size is your tank? Do you have a heavily stocked tank? Alot of biological breakdown causes acid which lowers you pH.

Stop using the pH up, you are better off keeping a low stable ph then having a fluxuating higher pH.
 
I change 30% weekly, 5 cichlids 3-6", 72G bow front, and I do feed them a lot but only once a day. U think cutting back on the feeding would help?
 
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