What is the best way to control my aquarium's ph levels?

Question

I have a 30 gallon tank and am fighting a losing battle against low PH levels. I was trying to adjust it in with Ph UP and balancers, but it seems to not have the effect that I need, as it continually drops until I treat it again. The low ph level has had a very negative effect on my ability to grow plants for my aquarium.

I have no other problems with my tank, other than an algae bloom that I defeated successfully about 2 months ago. I do regular 20 to 25% water changes about every 10 days to 2 weeks and change the filter (I use Ammo Carb, so Ammonia isn't an issue) as soon as I notice that the water flow begins to taper off.

I have 4 Neons, 11 Tetras(Various breeds), 1 Emerald Cory and a Betta. I know that it's a little crowded and hope that it's not an issue if I keep the tank well-maintained.

Hope that this is enough information and look forward to your answers.

Answer 1

Usually, the only reason the Ph keeps dropping would be one of the following: too much CO2 if you are using it for plants, not enough carbonate hardness to buffer the water, too much waste decaying in the tank (ie. overfeeding, overpoulation, under filtering)

Answer 2

Aquarium Ph Levels

Answer 3

The best idea is to leave it alone as long as the pH is 6.0 or higher. If it is lower than that, I would suggest a small amount of crushed coral in the filter. Maybe about 1/4 cup if that much. Once the hardness is up, the pH will stabilize at a higher level and also be easier to adjust. Remember though, this will require you to adjust and stabilize the hardness and pH of the replacement water for every water change and that can take a few days to happen.

Remember too that your fish love a low pH and plants from that area should do well i a pH down to 6.0 or even a little less.
Hope this helps and if I can help further drop me an email.

MM

Answer 4

Ph Is the measure of how acidic or how basic somthing is. 7.0 is neutral Ph, an orange is acidic "would regester a number lower than 7. if tested with litmus paper. Baking soda is basic. would get a number higher than 7." Your tap water will have a certain ph. Find out what it is, A lot of comman freshwater fish can thrive in a pretty wide level of ph 6.5-7.6 Some fish can not adapt to a very wide range and should be avoided if you ph is not right for then. So it is important to test your ph now and then. Adding chemicals to change you ph is very dangerouse to the fish, it is best to choose fish that thrive in your current ph, or choose hardy fish and learn to carefully acclimate them. Teteras are sensitive fish. They can live in the average Ph of most homes. 7.0 is great for them so the petstore may have them at 7.0, and your ph might be different, so you have to carefully acclimate these sensitive fish. "open the petstore bag, add you cycled tank water to the bag a little at a time until the bag is holding at least 50% tank water, and 90 or more minutes have past." Tetras are schooling fish that need to be in a a school of 6 or more, more is better, in a 20 gallon tank that has been fishless cycled and stabaly heated to 78 degrees. Add 2-3 fish every 3-5 days at the most.

Answer 5

best way to control PH level is to balance the water by adding 1/4 reverse osmosis water to your tank, then add PH up to the tank water. This will save your plants and less stress on your fish. Don't have to worry about PH level dropping again. If you do regular water changes, then disgard the ammonia. You will need to buy a RO filter from a water source store, Home depot, cheapest place to get one....ebay.

Answer 6

first check your food some foods may contain lemon extract as a flavor additive and as an antioxidant provider also check your ammo carb to see if it says anything about pH fluctuation. Low means acidic in pH so to give some base properties to your tank like baking soda but only a little baking soda is a strong base(13). remove your fish during the process because the lower the level of your pH will differ the reaction between the acid and base like vinegar and baking soda but if your tanks pH is as low as vinegar (2) you'd have lemon seasoned fish. also remember every pH level is sixty times stronger or sixty times weaker depending which way you go.

Answer 7

There are many reasons why your pH keeps going down. Are you using CO2? CO2 can be one reason why your pH goes down. It could also be from your fishes since you have a large group. It makes the water more soft, thus decreasing ph. You can try putting crushed coral to raise it. But you have to keep testing the pH.

Answer 8

Well the water you are using is low the only way to keep the ph up is to continue dosing. Consider it part of your routine maintenance.

Answer 9

Ammo Carb has zeolites. Zeolites are in water softeners. Use pure carbon if you have a pH problem. pH UP and pH Down will bounce your numbers all over the place and kill your fish. Don't use them. EVER.

Answer 10

OK Holey rock will help stabilize it you can it is at you local pet shop. It is a white dusty rock with lots of holes in it. There is also a substrate that will help . It is live gravel like you would put in a saltwater but for fresh water. They make it specify to help pH, also at local pet shop. I can't remember the name for it but if you ask someone in the fish dept they should know. Hope this helps.