How do I raise the alkalinity (aka buffer) in my fish tank?

Question

It is the only thing that seems to be off balance, though i do know that you can not accurately read the PH if the alkalinity is off.

I always thought that it was directly related (alkalinity and PH) but why is my PH perfectly normal but the alkaline is VERY LOW

Answer 1

Chemically in the most elemental manner of naturally controlling your ph, to increase dissolve Sodium Bicarbonate into the water, to decrease use Sodium Biphosphate. Alternatively driftwood will "Buffer" your ph, however generally this method is taken advantage of with people who are supplied water from a city supply source ranging nearly 8.8 pH, in efforts to reduce it to nearly 7.5 pH, I've known people to use malawian driftwood for this.

Depending how acidic your water is will determine what course of action to take advantage of. Naturally buffering your pH is reccomended as it will be a regular occurance where you will be forced to add chemicals to your water. Adding chemicals effects your fish weather you notice it or not. Drastic changes in pH, depending on what species of fish inhabits the water can have more severe effects than others. A good example of this is Discus as a sensitive fish, and a Molly as a hardy one. a drastic 2 full point change in pH will likely seriously screw up your discus if you do it immediately, you would have to span the change over several days, whereas a molly would likely show no signs of malady or irritation from the sudden change.

This being said you wont "notice" the malady in hardier specimens, though it would certainly be humane practice to alter the chemistry slowly in small steps opposed to an immediate, drastic change.

Answer 2

pH is a measure of whether a solution is acid or alkaline, so you are wrong. 7 is neutral. 1-7 is acid, 8-15 is alkaline.

Answer 3

What exactly are your numbers? Many Ph test strips say that parameters are not suitable for fish, but almost any fish will thrive in any Ph, GH and KH as long as it is stable.

Also will help me to help you if I kew what kind of fish you have.