WOAH, need help.

[Dreamsofpeace54]

My 75 gallon(datnoids, senegal bichir) and my 46 gallon (jackdempsey,leopard frog pleco, and another senegal bichir) are running a ph of around 7.8 or higher, which would be great for my africans but not my other fish. my tap runs about 6.2-6.5. WTF IS GOING ON?

in the 75 i have, estes sand a peice of rootwood and an anubis. filration is a fluval 405, 2x penguin 350 biowheels rated for 75 gallons. 84 degrees constant, aquarium salt added

in the 46 i have some random sand, a huge peice of wood and a plastic pant. Filtration is 2x penguin 200 biowheels rated for 50 gallons each. 82-84 depending on basment temp, aquarium salt added

What could possibly be buffering my ph so high? i have a feeling this is why my datnoid is never stable and my jack's colors are fading.

 

[FishGoneWild]

Driftwood tanins are supposed to lower pH. My tapwater is 7.8 and with driftwood yellow tanin my pH is 7.0. However, I have heard that salt raise pH so I only use salt whenever I'm medicating.

 

[Mystix212]

Salt, particualy marine salt raises the pH and Hardness. You dont even need to use salt with these fish. Except when treating wounds etc.

 

[Dreamsofpeace54]

hmm, i've always used salt to help immunity to disease and reduce stress and stuff, not nessicary i guess in a well established aquarium?

thanks guys i guess that answers my question.

also, do u think this is why my dat is never stable and jack kinda looks dull?

 

[wataugachicken]

have you tested the water out of the tap and also tested it after letting it sit out for a day or so? the dissolved gases in the water count in the pH when you test it right away, but if you let a sample of water sit out so the gases go away, the pH will be different.

as far as salt, it works to improve disease resistance because it is actually an irritant to freshwater fish. the irritation makes them grow a thicker slimecoat which helps against parasites and other problems, but in the long run the irritation stresses them out. the stress depresses their immune function, making them more susceptible over time.

 

[Merbeast]

The sand you have may also be effecting your pH.

 

[Dreamsofpeace54]

no, i really doubt its the sand. ill try letting the water sit out and then testing it, and thanks for the input on the salt, i never knew all that!