New tank - nitrate nitrite and ammonia levels are fine, pH is too high (9.0). Help!?

Question

Hi, I've just set up a new tank and added bactozym which claims to speed up new tank syndrome. I've just tested the water and the nitrite, nitrate and ammonia levels are all 'ideal', but the pH is 9.0.

How do I lower the pH, how long will that method take, will it affect the other levels, and once it's right can I add a few fish?

No, I didn't use soap at any point in the process.

All thats in there is thoroughly rinsed gravel, a large bit of bogwood, and an ornament. I'm not sure what it's made of, but I'm not sure that could be the problem. I could take it out and see what happens I suppose.

I live in a very hard water area, and I filled the tank up with water from the never used bath tap, which I suppose might have a higher build up of limestone than the other taps?

I don't have any fish in it yet, of course.

Answer 1

NOOOOOOOOOOO, DO NOT use baking soda, it will RAISE your PH, NOT lower it.......jeeze. I wish people would know what they are talking about before they answer these questions....they can potentially kill these poor fish.

With that said, WOW, I've never seen PH that high. I think your first mistake was using a "speeder upper" for your tank. The only type of "helper" that is worth it is something with LIVE bacteria in it. If it doesn't have live bacteria it doesn't do anything but potentially cause a big headache.

Since your tank is not cycled, I'd do at least a 50% water change. BUT, before you add any water, test your tap water and see what your levels are. This way you'll have a good idea whether it is something IN your tank, or the tap water that is freaking out the PH. If that makes sense. If it's coming out of your tap like that, you'll probably need to buy a PH lowerer. I don't usually suggest using chemicals, but if it's coming out of the tap like that, you have little choice. I personally don't think it's coming out of your tap like that, I think it's something IN your tank (of course I can be wrong, but it's my guess). I can't offer a real good answer until I know where the high levels are coming from. Rather then sit here and type out all about PH, try looking through this very helpful link, and it might help you out: http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Basic_Aquarium_Principles.html This talks about cycling a tank and water basics and adding fish, etc., and I think you will find it quite helpful. If you navigate through the site more you will see that it's choc full of info that will help you in absolutely every area of your fishkeeping.
I hope this helps. Good luck. ;o)

In addition to things that can foul up your tank.....driftwood that one finds on their own and puts on their tank is often a culprit, soap being the biggest (in my opinion). I didn't read the answer above mine fully before I added my answer, but we are basically saying the same thing, so this should be a good indication of where to start. Again, good luck)

Answer 2

Of course all of the numbers are fine,nothing has happened. The bacteria that you need to cultivate are present every where,and adding more won't really speed up the process at all. The reason for this is that the mere presence of a lot of the bacteria doesn't help until the little guys have formed colonies in the porous surfaces inside your tank(gravel,filter sponges,or just about anything else).It's all about surface area. And oxygen levels are the other thing that encourage the bacterial colonies. So be patient.
A pH of 9.0 must mean that you cleaned the tank with some sort of soap and didn't completely rinse it all out. To test this theory get a clean test tube of some sort and check the pH of your tap water,it should be somewhere near 7.0. That pH is too high for any fish but Rift Lake Cichlids and Desert Pupfish,or perhaps Mollies.
If the tank pH is a lot higher than the tap water pH you've got some sort of contamination an shouldn't get any fish until the problem is resolved. This may mean a complete tear down and re-start,but don't do that until you know the cause. Some possible sources could be coral skeletons used for decoration,coral gravel,plaster of Paris ornaments or like I said soap.

Answer 3

I've never had my ph get that high before. Maybe it's from the additive you used. Test your faucet water first to see the normal ph, then if it's more neutral 7.0ph range- do a water change 25%. Also, if you don't have fish in there yet, go ahead and purchase some cheap feeder fish and put them is there (inch long fish, maybe 5 for a 40 gal) adjust for what size tank you have. Don't worry when they maybe start dying off in a few days - they will elevate the amonia levels naturally which will take over the new "cycling" of the water, but it will find it's normal level as long as there are fish in there.
Once I start a new tank and the feeder fish stop dying, I know it is ready and healthy for other fish and I almost never check the water for amonia, nitrite, etc...

Answer 4

First of all, why did you change 90% of the water? That will really make cycling a lot more difficult because you are trying to build up beneficial bacteria. It takes 4-6 weeks to cycle an aquarium. In this time you will notice a lot going on with your water quality. First there will be an ammonia spike, followed by a nitrite spike. Then you will get nitrates which are the by-product of the whole nitrogen cycle. Since you changed 90% of your water, which you never want to do, I would wait another week and get your water tested again. You never want to change more that 50%, and that is only in the case of an emergency. Good luck!

Answer 5

Holy crap that's high. I didn't think tap water could get that high. Is your tank made out of limestone & dead sea shells held together by concrete made of marble chips & dead Indian blood?

You need to introduce some acid buffers and acids to the tank or remove some of the alkaline buffers.

Using R/O water can help since it doesn't come with all of the alkaline buffers in it. Some companies like seachem sell acid buffers that can help balance your water. If I'm not mistaken, I've heard that peat moss in the filter can help also, but I doubt peat moss would be up to the the task of 9.0

I'd be curious to see the KH (carbonate hardness) value of your water. I bet its crazy high.

EDIT: WTF on the baking soda to the post a couple down. Dude... baking soda is an alkaline buffer. It will only raise the ph, not lower it.

Answer 6

Is 9.0 from your local water supply? If so, you may want to ask the pets store in which you are going buy your fish for a list of their lvls. The PH level isn't really as important as most people believe it to be. Sudden changes are bad, but with a local purchase at a pet store your going to get similar water. The basic rule of thumb on PH levels for fish really depends on the fish; if you are buying tropical freshwater, then they are more apt to lower PH, and Cichlids are more apt to a higher PH. Many pet stores try to condition the fish to local lvls, so ask them for their results. Good luck with your fish.

Answer 7

ok lets start with the bactozyme -- there is nothing for the bottled bacteria to eat in the tank yet -- wait til you have fish to use it.

you win the hardest water in the universe award with 9,0 ph. i would talk to a reputable fish store. if you have 9.0 and you are on public water then they have probably dealt with your little problem before. if they try to sell you chemicals to reduce your ph walk out fast -- and spit on them for me too.

i would take the water for a second opinion. if you really have 9.0 water i would limit my fish choices to african lake fish like cichlids. i don't think amazon fish can adapt to that. oh -- adapt your fish to your ph was supposed to be my point. never try to change your ph to adapt to the fish. the only thing i could suggest for reducing the ph is a tank of driftwood. you would need a lot to knock it down 1.0 though.

Answer 8

be leave it or not you can put 1 tablespoon of baking soda in and then check PH 8-10 hrs later if still high add 1 tablespoon at a time. Also pet shops sell kits and chemicals to adjust it. Good luck.