metallic_platinum Posted September 4, 2011 Report Share Posted September 4, 2011 I can't for the life of me work out why my 2ft tank constantly has a high pH. I know the Brisbane water system has a naturally high pH but even after adding pH down, a few days later the reading returns to the high value. Any ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frinkie Posted September 4, 2011 Report Share Posted September 4, 2011 not to sure mate, but your better off just keeping your pH at whatever comes out of the tap - having a stable pH is more important then constantly adding chemicals and having the pH flux all the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Tech Den Posted September 4, 2011 Report Share Posted September 4, 2011 Yeah a couple - how about a pic of your tank and what's in it. Can't be psychic. What chemical do you use too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metallic_platinum Posted September 4, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2011 Can't upload a pic but can give a good description. Just got a pair of blue rams which breed every time I get it right for a few days, some fine river gravel which I've tested and isn't carbonate-based or the source of the problem and a few plants (including anubias barteri, ambulia, crypt. wendii) and an aquaclear hang on filter. Chemicals- i just use prime, token aquamaster plant food and regular pH down. \ It wouldn't be the activated carbon removing all of the pH down from the water? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frinkie Posted September 4, 2011 Report Share Posted September 4, 2011 How did you test the gravel wasn't CaC02 based? I can't imagine the carbon would remove the phdown, pH down is usually just dilute sulfuric acid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeadFishFloating Posted September 4, 2011 Report Share Posted September 4, 2011 ph down is usually sodium biphosphate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kasman Posted September 5, 2011 Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 when you say high.... how much?? my tap comes out at 7.5 When I had rams Id just supplemenedt with rain water which was around 5 to get a more suitable ph. (they like soft water too) Adding chems usually isnt a good path to take. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
__CAV__ Posted September 5, 2011 Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 The only real way you will lower your ph and keep it down will be to Use rainwater or another form of softened water source (ro, etc) Have you tested your gh and kh? What are the values? How quick does the swing in ph occur? Answer these questions and we might be able to help you out. Cav Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Tech Den Posted September 5, 2011 Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 Have a bit of read of this and it may help explain a couple of things. Particularly Alkalinity and Conductivity. GH, KH, and pH for the Advanced Hobbyist Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sugarhit Posted September 5, 2011 Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 heyy, i have the same problem, always comes out around 7.2 - 7.4 and i live on the coast. i have some larger tetras, angel fish, gold and bolivian rams. i added 3 driftwoods in there and its got it to generally stay at about 7.0 but would still like it lower. . . i have activated carbon in mine to and gave up trying to lower it with PH down. . . . fish are all happy so i guess i cant complain! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frinkie Posted September 5, 2011 Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 ph down is usually sodium biphosphate am referring to liquid pH down. I've bred neon blue rams in brissy water with no added chemicals or anything except a water softening pillow (which they actually spawned on), but as others have mentioned rainwater is good idea, just put some prime in it anyway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
