How can I make my PH level in my fish tank better?

Question

I just got a fish tank and have never had fish before. I checked the PH and it says it's at dangerous levels. How do I fix that? The guy at the pet store said it would fix itself in about a month but nothing has happened. I've lost 3 fish already.

Answer 1

Don't use chemicals to change the ph. There are species that live in each ph from 5-9. Any dangerous levels would be unsafe for humans, so your tap water is fine for fish. The tank cycle is what would kill your fish. You need a liquid test kit for ammonia nitrites and nitrate. You also need to tell us more about your tank, size, number of fish and species...

Answer 2

at this point empty it out and start over again. in the future try doing gravel vacuums and water changes -- like 20-25% weeklly. use a beneficial bacteria additive like cycle or stress zyme. anytime you lose a fish you should do a complete water change. dead fish in your tank for even a few minutes make the bacteria go crazy. what happened was your water was probably bad and when a fish died it multiplied that by 10. don't worry about ph too much -- you want to worry about ammonia and nitrites. you actually want your fish to get used to your tap water ph. changing ph suddenly is like changing the temperature suddenly. not a good idea. and if the water smells foul change it -- partially every few days until its better is fine. the foul smell is ammonia given off by bacteria. not a good thing.

Answer 3

How large is your tank, filter set-up, type of fish, lighting, plants?
All else fails and them make drops or tablets to balance out the desired ph levels. I have had tanks my whole life. Once you get your desired level do at least a 20% water change every other week. Remember if you add salt, that salt does not evaporate, so adjust accordingly. Check out petco.com for ph balancers. Also check out your tap waters ph lvl.
Make sure you follow all directions carefully on the back of which ever product you choose to buy.

Answer 4

Quit using tap water and only use bottled water from Water And Ice or whatever the name of the neighborhood water store is in your town. I'm a school teacher and killed a lot of fish in my classroom tank until I learned to stop using tap water.
Water stores use Reverse Osmosis, and as result the pH is perfect for fish to live in immediately.

But, if you want the other way instead, go to PetCo or Pet's Mart and Buy BullsEye PH products.

Answer 5

in many situations you do no longer could subject regarding the pH point by way of fact the fish you purchase on the save are born/raised in those varieties of situations. The fish that are caught wild, like ones that are very puzzling to reproduce in captivity are those the place you're able to subject regarding the pH point. including greater chemical ingredients in many situations makes it worse by way of fact it could have the pH selection that's lots worse than it being solid at a 7.8 And the pH point does no longer kill the fish that promptly. i'm greater hectic approximately your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate stages. in case you haven't any longer cycled the tank then it extremely is the subject. have you ever cycled your tank? How long by way of fact the tank been set up?

Answer 6

Is it too high or low? Saltwater? Have you tried a pH buffer available at most stores?

Answer 7

change your filter cartridge, change your water or go to a local petshop and get some ph tablets.