So my tap water ph is about 7.6. My tank is about 6. I was told to do 10 percent daily rather than 50 percent weekly. Cause the difference in ph is so significant. Is this true? Or it shouldn't matter? So far I have lost one stingray. Water was 6 ph, 0 nitrite, 0 ammonia and .25 at time of water change, 10 nitrate up to 40 during water change. I never had a problem with rays until I moved.
PH? Tap vs tank.
- Thread starter david503bk
- Start date
I do not keep stingrays so I'll just say the golden rule of ph. For every single decimal that you move up or down in the scale of ph value, you will increase (or decrease) the alkaline or acidic value X10. In simpler terms, a ph of 7.6 is ten times more alkaline than 7.5 etc.
This makes the ph of your tank water dramatically lower than the water you are adding. Seems to me like you might want to consider matching up your added water ph closer to the tank water or vise versa so that you can do larger WCs but I'll let the stingray folks chime in on that issue.
This makes the ph of your tank water dramatically lower than the water you are adding. Seems to me like you might want to consider matching up your added water ph closer to the tank water or vise versa so that you can do larger WCs but I'll let the stingray folks chime in on that issue.
Why is your pH in tank so low?
Do you want your tank pH to be that low?
If yes, you should adjust the new water accordingly before using.
If no, you need to add a buffer to your tank to maintain the pH you want. Add this buffer slowly so as not to shock the inhabitants.
To answer your Q directly, personally I would do more frequent small changes than one large one.
Do you want your tank pH to be that low?
If yes, you should adjust the new water accordingly before using.
If no, you need to add a buffer to your tank to maintain the pH you want. Add this buffer slowly so as not to shock the inhabitants.
To answer your Q directly, personally I would do more frequent small changes than one large one.
IMO, your tank pH should be 7.6pH.
But yes, I agree with Tank125 the method suggested is correct for that scenario.
Use Prime if you have chloramine (ammonia) in your water..
But yes, I agree with Tank125 the method suggested is correct for that scenario.
Use Prime if you have chloramine (ammonia) in your water..
lots of smaller changes to bring it up and still do a large change every week to keep nitrates lower... but bring it up first
I don't know why my tank is soo low compared to my tap. Now will the buffer have to be used with every water change? Or once I get my tank up to 7 is where I want it. It will stay that way without having to buffer again? I have done 75% changes. I always do 50% weekly and it is still 6 no matter what. I use the API freshwater master test kit. When I test tap water ph do I need to dechlorinate it first? I didn't. My bichir, aro, and cat has no problems. But I would like to keep a ray again.
Do you keep your filters clean?
Nitrifying bacteria consumes the minerals that make up your alkalinity, and keep your pH up..
What is the alkalinity of your tap water? Maybe it's already weak and your bio-load makes the problem worse..
Nitrifying bacteria consumes the minerals that make up your alkalinity, and keep your pH up..
What is the alkalinity of your tap water? Maybe it's already weak and your bio-load makes the problem worse..
You can add crushed coral or dolomite to your tank to buffer your pH. It will also raise the pH. What it will do long term is help to level or keep stable your pH. I would start with 5# per 40 gallons of water.
Don't know what you mean by alkalinity. Are you talking about ph? if so tap water ph is 7.6 I clean my Filters every 1st of the month or that weekend. I clean my ac 110 every 2 months. My 2 rena xp3 is mainly bio media and mechanical. actually thats all it is. My ac 110 is mechanical and chemical. I am frustrated as I never failed in stingray keeping except for my own fault. I have done evrything possible. This is my only problem. Is it really the cause of my rays death? Right after adding the new tap water the ph still test at 6. Its not like it jumps up to 7.6 then drops to 6. its constant at 6. I am stumped!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alkalinity
http://bcn.boulder.co.us/basin/data/BACT/info/Alk.html
after you raise your ph a small bag of crushed coral can help you keep it up or you can just figure a water change schedule to keep it stable
http://bcn.boulder.co.us/basin/data/BACT/info/Alk.html
after you raise your ph a small bag of crushed coral can help you keep it up or you can just figure a water change schedule to keep it stable