Problem with high ph.

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mike999g

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jun 24, 2007
76
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HAMPSHIRE UK
This is a really strange question, but I can't work out what the answer is. On one of my smaller 200 litre tanks I had a problem with my ph levels. The tank was well established, running on a Fluval 305 and a small power head, the tank always ran about 7.6 to 8 ph depending on the time of day. I had a spare air pump and 5 inch round disk that I had inhereted from a tank I had purchased a long time ago. I put the air disk in the tank and within 2 days the ph had gone up to 9, having a heart attack I took the air disk out and did a 50% water change, and the ph went down again. I thought maybe the disk had been in a marine tank, and had absorbed a lot of salt, so I went and bought a new one, I put it in and within 2 days the ph was back up to 9 again. Once more I took out the disk, and did a water change. I haven't put it back in, and the ph has been fine. The pump is an aps 150.

I have no idea why it had this effect, does anybody else know?

I would be interested if you have any theories>

Thanks Mike.
 
what is the material these disks are made of?
what is the PH your water comes out of, normaly, the tap?
 
The disks are made of standard blue stone as an air stone is, just flat in shape and in a plastic disk holder.The tap water ph is about 7.6.
 
I can't work it out, it either has to be the air disks or the pump that is causing the ph to rise, but I don't understand how a pump can do that.
 
Here's a crazy idea: We all know that aeration drives out CO2. Maybe your pH rises because you lower (acidic) CO2 levels. What's your hardness (gH, kH)?

HarleyK
 
HarleyK, you have totally lost me, although I have been keeping fish for over 20 years, i've only ever monitored nitrate, nitrite, amonia and ph, so i've got no idea what the hardness is.

I thought it might be something to do with the pump mechanics, but I have never heard anyone with these problems.
 
Ask your wife if you have hard or soft water. She will know: Soft water requires less laundry detergent. :D
 
We have soft water, as I get no white water marks on the tank glass, and the kettle stays fairly shinny inside, only getting a bit of lime scale.
Does that help?
 
Howdy,

Yeah, that helps. Normally, people "harden" their water (with crushed coral, or pH-adjusted baking soda solutions) in order to prevent drops into the acidic range (i.e. pH crash). Sounds like you are on the other end of the (pH-) spectrum. You can read more HERE, but I think the essential phrase is

"the bicarbonate will dissociate to form solid carbonate and release yet more hydrogen ions (CO32- (solid) + 2H+), to counteract the increased alkalinity. "

You have soft water (i.e. very little carbonates), and aeration drives out the CO2 that could be converted. Thus, nothing stops a pH increase.

This is rare, and honestly, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Just don't fire up that airpump again, and you'll be fine.

Just a theory, my $0.02

HarleyK
 
try using one of seachems buffers. they work great to reduce pH and raise buffer when used in moderation. i had the same problem and they saved my fishes lives. gl
 
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