All my tank levels are on par except my alkalinity which is through the roof! Is there a way to lower it?

Question

I have a 10 gal. freshwater tank and everything is right on including my pH but I can't seem to get my alkalinity down. The fish don't seem to have any adverse effects but I'm leery to add more fish. I have 2 guppies and 2 mollies in the right now. The only thing abnormal is I'm starting to get alge. My tanks been running for almost 5 months and alkalinity has been very high almost since I started it.

Answer 1

It would help if you gave your alkalinity results so we knew what they were, but if you're able to keep a "satisfactory" pH of 6-8.5 without using chemicals (bad idea), peat moss, or driftwood to lower it, chances are it's not as high as you'd think. There shouldn't be a problem with alkalinity unless the values are over 300 ppm.

Is your tapwater (if that's what you're using in the tank) high as well? Chances are, you may live in an area where there's a lot of limestone - this affects the pH and alkalinity of the water, and if that's what your water supply runs through, that's what you get. I lived in such an area once, and was able to keep most tropicals, but this really benefited my cichlids and saltwater tanks which need the higher pH (it was 8.3 out of the tap!).

If your water source isn't as high as what's in the tank, do you have shells, or crushed coral/aragonite as a substrate? If you aren't sure, remove and rocks and a small portion of the gravel and drip a little vinegar on them - if any of them bubble and fizz, these are the source of your alkalinity and should be removed if you want to bring the alkalinity down.

Answer 2

I'm confused. Alkalinity is ph. It's ph above 7.0. So, I don't understand what you're testing. But, regardless, with the exception of only a few, a large majority of fish can handle ph ranges from 6.0-8.5 easily. What they can't handle is the roller coaster ups and downs that happen when we mess with the water trying to "fix" it. So, just leave your ph alone. But, if you feel you must mess with it, do not use chemicals or other temporary fixes. These cause the roller coaster effects. Add some bogwood, peat or almond leaves. This will sweeten the water and bring down the ph, or alkalinity, levels. With regard to the algae, algae has nothing to do with ph. It has to do with light, but as far as your mollies go, let the algae grow. They adore algae and the best tank you can provide for mollies is an algae-laden one.

Answer 3

it quite is definitely weird and wonderful. generally intense alkalinity and hardness bypass jointly. to develop the hardness of your water you are able to upload shell grit to the substrate. they'll slowly leach calcium carbonate into the water, making it extra durable. a rapid restoration is to characteristic a sprint baking soda to the water. that will develop your PH very without postpone, even though it additionally will make your water extra alkaline. To decrease your alkalinity, you are able to upload driftwood or peat moss, which leaches tannins into the water and makes it extra acidic, yet this additionally will make your water softer. To make it the two extra durable and extra acidic, i'm not sure what you will possibly do. Are you beneficial those readings are suitable? they provide the effect of being on an identical time incompatible.

Answer 4

They sell stuff at the pet store made exactly for this purpose. It's usually called "pH down" or something to that effect depending on the brand. You can also get pH neutraliser/stabiliser.