Fish tank that has fish and plants, pH is level high and plants are decaying.?

Question

We just set up a 55 gallon tank that has fish and plants. The fish had fin rot, which is cleared up now. But the pH level will not go down. We have tried "Correct pH" and "Start Right" made from Jungle. The plants are turning yellow (even after putting plant food in the tank) and decaying. Any suggestions to what we need to do next?

Answer 1

These are symptoms of an un-cycled tank. You should always choose fish and plants that match your tap waters PH. Malawi Chichlids thrive on high PH. It is more important to keep a STABLE PH rather than a fluctuating PH. Trying to change the PH can stress the fish and the plants. Plants need at least 8 hours of light per day to live. If they are dying, make sure they have enough light and that the bulb is strong enough.

Answer 2

Depending on what type of fish you have, it may be necessary to alter the pH, but it is likely not the case. In the event that you have Discus or other fish that require a low pH, adding some driftwood and peat moss will steadily lower your pH. These are also a permanent solution, whereas chemicals will cause rapid fluctuations that can be very harmful for the fish. For more help, email me at [e-mail].

Nosoop4u

Answer 3

Ditto to athelon, and that's exactly the best thing to do. Don't fight a battle with your ph. As your tank cycles out and ages, you are liable to find your ph slowly shifting down as it is due to a build up of carbonic and nitric acids. They will slowly work away on your overall hardness. A stable ph is better off then constantly putting in chemicals to fight that battle. You're ending up doing as much damage to them as the fin rot is, probably worse. Unless your ph is in a far extreme high like 8.5 or up, don't worry about it, except that during your cycle process, you'll need to stay on top of your ammonia as it's going to be more toxic at a higher ph.

JV

Answer 4

Oxygen has no impression on pH; in basic terms carbon dioxide, that's used to decrease the pH. What have been you employing to get a pH of 6.0 interior the 1st place? whilst you're employing buffers then you would desire to consistently save at it or the buffers would be absorbed and the pH will leap top back to the place it began out interior the 1st place. you will desire to examine the carbonate hardness (Kh) of the water. delicate water with a pH of 6 could have an quite low Kh. in case you have a intense Kh then the two the buffers have been absorbed or Marcus is actual and you have something dissolving that's expanding the Kh which in turn will develop the pH.

Answer 5

pH is just of the many factors to maintain a good planted tank.
For plant, you need a good substrate (soil with good fertilise), good lighting and CO2. Can check out some planted tank forum and pick some tips from there.

http://www.arofanatics.com/forums/index.php
http://www.tropica.com/default.asp