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pH in my tank is stuck at 6.5?
i have a tropical community tank, 60 gals. i've had the tank for 8 months but when i set it up i used established water from my other tank. the water and the filtration is established but recently i've been having a problem with pH.
nothing else is wrong with my tank and i do regular water changes. the hardness, clarity, ammonia, nitrites and nitrates are all on normal levels but the pH has been stuck between 6.2 and 6.5 and i need it around 7.0 to 7.2 for the fish i have.
i have tried all kinds of pH buffers from liquids to powders to the fizzy tabs and nothing even budges it. i've even tried doubling the amount the directions say, but nothing.
i've heard of using baking soda as a buffer but i dont know how much or if this is safe so i dont really want to try it without more info.
if anyone has advice or has tried baking soda i'd appreciate it.
i've thought about the substrate or decortaion being a problem, but i've not added anything new to the tank in months and this problem only started maybe 3 weeks ago. none of my substrate or decorations arent aquarium approved.
i use aquarium salt as directed with every water change.
i'm concerned with the pH because a pH of 6 is 5 times more acidic than a pH of 7. it looks like a small number but i really isnt for pH. .5 can be pretty big for some fish.
i do use salt, always, but havent seen that this makes much of a differnce in pH. to buffer pH would i use more salt because i already have the recommended amount in the tank
i've heard of using coral but i've read in many books and online not to use it in freshwater because it will make your water harder. i'm kindof hesitant to try this one but if i can get more info i might
5 Answers
- 1 decade agoFavorite Answer
Try using crushed coral. I had the same problem, and found that products like PH up, and stuff like that only lasts for a short while, then the PH drops again which is really stressful to your fish. Crushed coral will raise the PH and hold it stable for about a year I've only put one lot in and it so far it's held the PH at the right level for about 10 months. I have a 55 gallon tank, my PH was around 6.5, and now it's a healthy 7.6. I added 2 cups, and then I think about another 3/4 cup to get the required result. Make sure you rinse it well before you add it to the tank as there's loads of 'dust' on it which will cloud the tank if you don't rinse it!
I hope you'll try this simple and natural method, it really does work!
- crazyotto65Lv 51 decade ago
Agreed... aquarium salt is an excellent buffer. Use as directed on the package for your tank size. Check pH after weekly water changes - not before.
I think the commercially prepared aquarium buffers are baking soda (just repackaged and priced up for aquarists..)
- bellLv 51 decade ago
I've not used baking soda, only buffers. If a buffer is not working its possible your subsitrate or a decoration changing the PH.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
The pH you have already is fine, a stable pH is much more important. After all the pH is only off by a factor of around 0.6 and many fish such as tetras, barbs, rasboras and certain catfish appreciate more acidic conditions.
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