pH Problem????????????

Question

I just started up a 10 gallon tank yesterday and im waiting a couple weeks to get it cycled.

I bought one of those Live pH things they have at pet stores which monitors the pH on an ongoing basis. It shows what the pH is in colors(each pH level is a different color, so what ever the pH is, that color shows).

Ever since I put it in the pH has been off the charts, somewhere above 8.6

I also have some pH test strips which are the same kind that the Pet Store uses. And they show the same thing.


Will the pH go down after a few days?

Are there any Natural Ways to lower pH without using chemicals like "pH down" or "Ph Decrease"?

Answer 1

I've used those kinds of pH monitors before but I understand any pH change may not be reflected immediately, it may take a while for the color to change. If you've spare cash, it's a good idea to get a digital pH measuring pen: it's fast, no messing with samples, chemical agents & trying to decide which subtle shade of red the result really is!



Some others have given good advice on natural ways to lower pH and yes you can use RO water but that's a bit overkill especially since your other tank is fine. What is your tap water pH straight from the tap? RO units are more for those whose tap water is confirmed very hard & alkaline and they want to keep fish like discus who prefer very soft & acidic waters.



One thing is are you sure what you're using is really normal ordinary gravel and not stuff like limestone chips? Some pet stores don't even know the difference. If you've some dry gravel left, try dripping a few drops of strong vinegar on a few pieces to see if it fizzes. Alternatively use a small clean cup to contain some gravel & water and then test the pH after some time.



Actually over time the pH in a tank should drop due to the organic waste from fish and also as result of ongoing nitrogen cycle. Since most fish can tolerate a fairly wide range of pH values, as long as pH is changed very gradually, most of the time there's no need to mess with changing pH. Stable pH is far more important than maintaining any textbook value. But certainly something needs to be done if right from the beginning the pH is either extremely low or high.

Answer 2

I guess you deleted your last question and are asking again, because I know I answered this before. So I'm just going to repeat the same information because that is the answer to the issue. It's up to you to run with it.



This is the first thing you ask:



"Will the pH go down after a few days?" Based on what though? On it's own? Not likely, as what you are seeing is the pH out of tap.



"Are there any Natural Ways to lower pH without using chemicals like "pH down" or "Ph Decrease"?" Repeat of what I told you earlier. Peat Moss, Driftwood or Bogwood are natural ways to deal with this, but what you are not realizing here though, is what drives or makes the pH what it is, is the GH and KH. That is why companies make so much money keeping people focused in on the pH when the pH itself is actually a very minor thing.



What you want is the wood or moss to do is eat away at the hardness in the water. When that hardness comes down, the pH in turn will come down. The woods emit tannins into the water which counter act with the cations in your water. I am not exactly sure how the Peat moss does it, but I do know it softens up the water. The problem with the woods though is that after a few months, the tannins will stop being emitted as it's all used up.



What I suggested before, and this is probably your best way to handle this, is to make use of RO (Reverse Osmosis) water. The RO water will be devoid of the cations and other minerals and work to lower your GH and KH which means your pH eventually goes down as well. I would use half tap half RO because it's a bad thing to leave your water totally devoid of the cations you need.



I hope I don't have to repeat this again.

Answer 3

That is very odd. If your tap water is 7, and your other tank is also 7, yet when you put water into your 10 gallon you get a very high pH, something must either be in the tank or someone is dropping something into the water without you knowing it.



You are smart for not wanting to use the pH up and down drops.



What would happen if you filled your 10 gallon with water from the 55 gallon?



If it were my tank, I'd empty it out (again) and rinse it out 10 or 12 times. Then I would test the ph of the water out of the tap as it is filling the tank. After you have a few gallons in the tank, check the pH of the tank water.



Is this a new tank or a used tank? There just is no reason for water to jump in pH without something being added to it (like soap or bleach) or already in the tank.



Let me know what you figure out. This is weird.

Answer 4

I'm with Stillwaters. I think the substrate is leeching. Check your GH and KH in your 10 gallon and compare the results with the GH and KH of your 55 gallon. If they are not the same, chances are it's the substrate.



Some of the natural gravels for aquariums are intended for salt water aquariums and are intended to raise the pH. I use some of it in my brackish Molly tank and it does leech.

Answer 5

Check the pH of your tap water after it has sat out overnight. The pH can change over a 24 hr period. I Am Legend gave a very good answer and I would encourage the natural method of changing pH rather than using chemicals.

Answer 6

i know you dont want to use any kind of product, but trust me you need to use a buffer. the reason your ph is out of wack is because your buffer capacity is unstable. the best product to use, one that i have been using and recommending to all my customers for years is Neutral Regulator by Seachem. it buffers the water and stabilizes the ph at 7.0, it also conditions your water. now being your ph is so high its probably not going to work with just one dosage. use the recommended dosage every day until you've reached your desired ph level.



as far as natural ways, you can add some driftwood, you can add peat. both those will soften the water and lower the ph BUT it takes a while for that to really lower the ph and it probably isnt going to bring it down far enough for you. best bet is to go with the neutral regulator, it will be much faster and much easier. i still do recommend driftwood and or peat though, they do make your tank a healthier environment for your fish and live plants if you ever wanted to do live plants.

Answer 7

empty your tank out of water. clean it well with tap. fill it up with 10 galons from your 55 gallon. let the tank set for few hours, test the water, see what happens. if in 24 hours the ph is very very difernt then your 55 gal...then..... i truthfuly dont know. im just wondering if its a cycling issue. is your 55 galon a planted tank?????