my ph in my aqaurium is too high..if i do an sort of water change it goes up again..?

Question

i have tried api ph down but it doesnt seem to do anything...any number of water changes makes no difference.any ideas as im down to my last 8 fish which i dont want to lose...thanks

i have tried proper ph 7.0 but it still doesnt do the trick

tested ph from tap and its neutral...took a sample of water from tap boiled it and the ph went sky high....all the ornaments in the tank are aquarium approved...fake plants...black gravel.and a few rocks which were bought from pets at home...

Answer 1

WHen you say too high, what do you mean? Most fish will do very well in a pH up to about 8-8.2, some much higher. If your pH is in this range, don't mess with it is the best answer to be honest. The stress of it going up and down all the time is far worse on the fish than just leaving it alone.

Normally water in an aquarium slowly drops in pH unless something is acting on it to raise the pH level. I would suggest that even though they were marked aquarium safe, something in the tank is causing the pH to rise on a regular basis.

If you can include some of the actual readings you have been getting for pH, GH and KH we can try to help you find the cause.

MM

Answer 2

A few more details might help - What is the Ph of your tap water for starters? If your tap water has a high Ph then of course your tanks ph value will go up.
Also, ph changes using additives like ph down need to take place gradually over several days, not within a few hours.

Do you have anything in the tank which is affecting your Ph - limestone for example? A limestone cave or ornament will continually raise your tanks ph value.

Hope that helps.

Answer 3

Stay away from the pH adjusting products. Most fish can easily adjust to a stable. A pH that is in constant swing, which is what happens with the adjusters is a real problem.What it the actual pH of your tank?

You say you have rocks in the tank. What kind are they? Have you done a vinegar test on them? If you put a few drops of vinegar on them and they fizz, then they will raise your pH. Unless there is something in the tank to raise the pH, it is extremely rare for it to rise in the tank. Usually it will drop. I strongly suspect it is either the decorations, rocks or substrate that is causing it to rise.

What type fish do you have and what is the black gravel? Depending on the fish, a high pH (anything under about 7.6 to 8.0 really isn't high) may be perfect for them.

Have you tested your ammonia and nitrite levels? How long has the tank been set up? Are you using dechlorinator? If you are losing fish, a high pH is way down the list of likely causes of death unless it is because of the constant swings caused by adjusters.

Answer 4

This might be redundant in some ways, but at least it helps stress it:

1. Never use any products in your aquarium that claim to provide instant magical changes. PH down adds junk to the water to force it down, but since all of the elements in the water that make it alkaline in the first place are still there, the water will fight back and win. If you have your PH bouncing up and down, this will kill your fish faster then the wrong PH that is stable.

2. If you want a better idea of your tap water, forget boiling - this will only mess with the levels by evaporating water and leaving more minerals behind. Instead aerate it overnight using an airstone - when you do this, co2 will go down, o2 will go up, and you will get a more accurate representation of your tap water PH (it will usually be higher then what is right out of the tap, as ph goes down with co2 and up with o2)

3. If your tank is a ph of 8.2 or less I can assure you this is doubtfully what is killing your fish. I've always kept my fish in tap water without adjustment and without issues. Tap water around here is about 8.0. Tap water tends to be alkaline for most people - that's how they keep the pipes from rusting out.

4. If you absolutely must lower your PH then the best way is to buy distilled water, or make Reverse Osmosis water yourself, and mix this with tap water in a ratio that gives you the desired results. This way the actualy mineral level of the water is less, and the PH will be lower naturally, not with unstable chemicals.

Answer 5

I would hope you've tested your tap water for PH content! You could try putting in some bottled water, but ck. the PH of that first. You also could try just a bit of baking soda. Your acidity is too high & baking soda will lower it. (Of course mix it first with water & pour it into your filter slowly) Do not put anything like coral in the tank, that also raises the PH.

Answer 6

Your city water ph is too high then most likely. You need to get your tap water tested for nitrates, nitrites and find out why it is so off the scale. You also may need to buy bottled water for your fish too. Also remove any kind of shell or coral type things that may be inside your tank as those can agrivate that and kill your fish. If you also have any kind of item that you have question about dissolving, take that out as well, like wood based items or any kind of odd self collected rock, or non approved aquarium ceramic. Once you have done this, change your water again and see if that helps. I hope this helps, and best of luck,
Maraleh

Answer 7

Have you tested the water coming out of your tap? It may be too high for tropical fish but ok for humans. Also, do you have any shells or anything in your tank? Things from the ocean tend to pull pH up over time. Just a thought.

Answer 8

You may have a problem with the pH in your wate that you refil with (tap water). I would take a sample of that water in to be tested. The other thing that could be causing elevated pH is your substrate. If this is the case, you will need to change the substrate in your tank. If you habe added any rock material to your tank (real crystals or rocks you found outside) those may be causing it as well. Good luck!

Answer 9

Leave the tap water standing for 24 hrs before you change your tank water that will make sure the chlorine evaporates of.

Answer 10

there is a product that you can get that might help the situation. go to your local pet shop and find a product called Correct pH 7.0 from Jungle Laboratory.