Water parameters

[Artt]

I recent set up my new tank when I did so I purchased a bag of kids play sand to use as substrate.

I've used this same brand and product on 3 or 4 other occasions and have never had it change the KH, GH or pH of my tank water. It seems they are now doing something different or getting the sand from a different source because this time around it has changed my water parameters.

My tap water comes out at with a TDS of 25-30. When water tested I get 0 KH, 0 GH and a pH of 6.4-6.8.

So previously I've had to use buffers and conditioners to maintain stable water parameters.

I had this tank running without any buffers or conditioners for about 24 hours before I did water tests. Seeing how the sand had effected the parameters I adjusted the amount of conditions and buffers I would normally use so I could match the water parameters of the other tank I'd been homing the fish in.

A couple of days later and the water parameters have changed from what they were at.

The pH has slowly climbed up, along with KH and GH.

The fish at all doing fine but

I don't really know where to go from here.
Do I slowly do away with the buffers and conditioners as I water change the tank?
Will the sand slowly over time stop adjusting the parameters?

I've always stuck to using inert substrates, or had bare bottom tanks. I'd really appreciate any help or advice from someone more experienced with this

 

[tlindsey]

I recent set up my new tank when I did so I purchased a bag of kids play sand to use as substrate.

I've used this same brand and product on 3 or 4 other occasions and have never had it change the KH, GH or pH of my tank water. It seems they are now doing something different or getting the sand from a different source because this time around it has changed my water parameters.

My tap water comes out at with a TDS of 25-30. When water tested I get 0 KH, 0 GH and a pH of 6.4-6.8.

So previously I've had to use buffers and conditioners to maintain stable water parameters.

I had this tank running without any buffers or conditioners for about 24 hours before I did water tests. Seeing how the sand had effected the parameters I adjusted the amount of conditions and buffers I would normally use so I could match the water parameters of the other tank I'd been homing the fish in.

A couple of days later and the water parameters have changed from what they were at.

The pH has slowly climbed up, along with KH and GH.

The fish at all doing fine but

I don't really know where to go from here.
Do I slowly do away with the buffers and conditioners as I water change the tank?
Will the sand slowly over time stop adjusting the parameters?

I've always stuck to using inert substrates, or had bare bottom tanks. I'd really appreciate any help or advice from someone more experienced with this

S skjl47

 

[BIG-G]

If the sand has any calcium carbonates in it, it may be buffering the water as you described.
If it’s buffering to a slightly higher ph but stabilized, I wouldn’t do anything.

If it continues to rise and doesn’t settle at a reasonable stable ph then I would just remove the substrate and use something else that will give you the results you’re looking for.

 

[Rocksor]

I would keep the KH at least 4 degrees to prevent PH from dropping. With a KH of 4, even tannins from driftwood can cause the PH to go down even further.

 

[Artt]

I would keep the KH at least 4 degrees to prevent PH from dropping. With a KH of 4, even tannins from driftwood can cause the PH to go down even further.

Prior to adding the new substrate with this set up, I had the KH at 3, GH at 7 and the pH was 6.6. The pH didn't fluctuate at all. I had some driftwood in the tank but it is so aged it no longer releases any tannins into the water, not visibly so anyhow.

With a half dose of the conditioners and buffers I was using before, the current tank has a pH of 7.4, KH of 8 and GH of 8, this is what it tested when I originally posted and is still testing the same a day later.

So you think I could cut back on the dose of KH treatment further, provided I keep it at least at 4? Or should I just stick with the half dose I'm currently using?

Will the way the substrate is affecting my water change over time as it ages and the minerals in it break down? I guess, is it doing this just because it's new?

When I water change will it take time for minerals in the substrate to dissolve and adjust my parameters? Causing too much fluctuation in water chemistry for my fish to maintain good health?

 

[LBDave]

I would keep the KH at least 4 degrees to prevent PH from dropping. With a KH of 4, even tannins from driftwood can cause the PH to go down even further.

Here is what I got from API:
"What the Test Results Mean Use the table below to create the ideal water hardness levels for your aquarium fish. When keeping a community aquarium with a variety of tropical fish, adjust the GH and KH to 3 - 6º (50-100 ppm). GH & KH Range Aquarium Life 0º - 3º Discus, Arowana, Elephantnose, (0-50 ppm) Neons, Cardinals, Live Plants 3º - 6º Most tropical fish including Angelfish, (50-100 ppm) Cichlids, Tetras, Botia, Live Plants 6º - 11º Most tropical fish including (100-200 ppm) Swordtails, Guppies, Mollies, Goldfish 8º - 12º Marine fish and invertebrates (140-200 ppm) 11º - 22º Rift Lake Cichlids, Goldfish, (200-400 ppm) Brackish Water Fish"