Having issues controlling PH in my tank.?

Question

I have a 10 gallon tank with 10 fish in it(8 tetras, small betta, and small pleco). The water where I live is very hard. I treat my water with chemicals to make the water safe for my fish that were recommended by the professionals at the pet store. I tested the PH and it was about 7.6 I put PH down liquid in it and followed the directions down to the last letter. I waited 24 hours after putting the PH down in my tank and it was still around 7.6. I called the pet store and asked what I should do( they said treat the water again) I treated the water again and there is still no results. Does anyone have any idea what I should do now?

Answer 1

I really liked PeeTee's input here, and I have found, especially in the chain stores, they are not always, though sometimes you'll get some skilled sales people, but overall they just don't have the real working knowledge needed to give you the best advice. Let's face it, they are in the retail arena and if they aren't selling, jobs get cut and stores close. That doesn't mean they are going to tell you the right information, in fact, it's better for them in some ways to not tell you everything you'd need to know so you return more often and spend.

Now onto PH down. I've used it. It's nothing special really, but generally it will tell you, this product takes about 3 days to take full effect. Your water is liable to end up looking like someone poured a cup of milk in it too. I think there's one thing the other two answers hinted at but didn't say that I will add on here. Your tank is populated, and what I feel the biggest problem and danger is, the fish in there have already been used to living in the ph that was there. The thing about this is, fish will do better in a stable ph rather then fighting it to stay at a 7.0, which they have also told you, it's not necessary for it to be a perfect 7.0 for fish to thrive in. You don't have cichilds in your tank, but generally, most of the species of cichilds thrive better in higher ph's then lower. This is just an example of your ph not having to be a 7.0. Your fish will suffer more then benefit if you are trying to adjust your ph with them populated in it, then letting them stay in the tank and adjust to whatever it is. PH should really be adjusted prior to populating a tank. Constantly shifting the ph will put more stress on your fish then anything else, so as they have said, just let it be.

JV

Answer 2

you can knock your ph down some in your tank by adding driftwood -- this isn't going to make a huge difference but it helps and the betta and tetras will be happier -- i don't think plecos care about anything. it also has the tendency to tint your water a bit so it won't be clear for a while -- it looks kind of like you left a tea bag in your aquarium. don't use grapewood that they sell at petstores for reptiles -- the other woods are usually fine. make sure you don't have any sedimentary rocks or anything that are making your water harder.

chemicals you dump in the tank are only temporary -- you ph will go down after you add the stuff but it will pop up again right after.

like everyone said -- your fish are fine with a 7.6 ph -- if you were in the 8s you might have more problems.

fyi common plecos grow huge (18"-24") -- you might want to think about finding him a new home -- 10 gallons isn't going to cut it for him. if you want bottom feeders in a 10 gallon try a team of ghost shrimp.

Answer 3

I would leave it alone. Your fish are all most likely tank bred, as opposed to being wild caught, and they will adapt to most any ph within 6.0-8.0. Those ph up/down products don't work, unless you also buffer the water along with it. A lot of times they'll adjust the ph, and a few hours later, the ph will go right back to where it was originally, or worse it'll crash. This is very stressful to the fish-a stable ph is much better for them then one that fluctuates. Here's a great article on ways to alter the ph, and exactly what's involved when doing it:

http://www.drhelm.com/aquarium/chemistry.html

But again, with the fish you have, I would just leave it alone. The only time I'd recommend altering it, would be if you're raising or breeding senstive fish like discus or German rams.

Answer 4

It's best not to mess with pH unless absolutely necessary. If your fish are doing fine at the higher pH don't mess with it. The hard water means you have many buffers in your water making it hard to alter the pH. When you add pH Down it may temporarily drop pH, but the buffers will bring the pH back up (if the pH down even dropped the pH at all). pH swings are worse for fish than the wrong pH. If the fish look like they're doing fine, I'd leave it.

If you had sensitive fish like discus or GBR it would be a different story, but since your tetras were probably not wild caught (unless they're cardinals) they're probably used to the harder water.

Answer 5

Your water is fine,the"professionals" at the pet store are professional sales persons,not fish keepers. Your pH is just fine as it is,quit trying to change it,your fish are in no danger. The very stable pH is a sign that your water has a very high buffering capacity. This is a good thing. Trying to bring down the pH only stresses your fish,let them get accustomed to your water,and they will thrive. Learn how to do water changes correctly(with a minimum of stress to the fish) and don't worry about the "bullet proof" pH. The real challenge is to learn how to keep the water clean. Small weekly water changes accompanied by conscientious "vacuuming" of the gravel, siphoning out the uneaten(and eaten) food will keep your fish happy and healthy.
A word of advice,don't take advice from some one who's got something to sell.
And the guys at the big stores know nothing except selling.
Good luck,------PeeTee

Answer 6

I think its important to soften the water to reduce stress in fish and the best way to do this is by adding 1/4 tank REVERSE OSMOSIS water, then add PH down to buffer the water. You can get RO water from your local water supply store or buy a RO unit (filter). Trust me its safe because I need to do this to breed discus fish.

I hope this helps.

Answer 7

i would agree that the pH is fine. on your next water change add RO water, you can switch to that for all your water changes but you might need to add an RO right product for trace minerals. i have heard that using RO ever other water change can help with hard water, try mixing one gallon of tap and one gallon of Ro, mix it and let it sit 24 hours and test for pH, i have never tried that method, but that is how it was explained to me