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hi everyone i have a 75 gallon tank and the pH keeps droping on me, i am trying to use pH stabilizer but it does not seem to be helping, i am also useing ph increser to bring it back to 7.0, and a few days later it is slowly droping again. This tank has been runing for about two years. I have fake plants and driftwood in the tank.
what can i do to stabilize the pH, some one told me if i added seashells to the filter it might help? anyone know?

i have 5 Congo tetras, 3 blue rams, 4 cherry barbs, 7 pristilla tetras, 2 red fire dwarf gromies, 3 ottos, 1 bushynose pleco, 1 clown pleco, 1 flying fox, 6 bronze corys, 5 panda corys, and in a week or so i might add 4-5 upside down catfish
thanks

Hi,
You do not provide any real data to go on other than
a decreasing pH. In your narrative, you give hints of
what is called the "Old Tank Syndrome." Despite the
tank only being two years old, with improper, regular,
through, maintenace, OTS could be taking place.

Check out this site: http://www.bestfish.com/oldtank.html

Read through the information, decreasing pH, high
nitrates, are symptoms of OTS.

If this is the case you will need to do a weekly water
change of about 20%, and use a python, or something
similiar to clean the gravel, one quarter of the tank
at a time. Sudden, massive water change, and a massive
cleaning of gravel would set the whole tank on end and
create more problems. Do it gradually, and do it
regularly (weekly).
I would hold off on the new fish, until you resolve the
problem.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

I have fake plants and driftwood in the tank.

BINGO!!!

Driftwood naturally lowers the pH in aqauriums, I'd bet that's a least PART of the cause. I had the same experience just a couple months ago.

There are many different types of rocks that are known to raise pH in aquariums, that way you do it without chemicals. IMO the chemicals aren't worth it, it's much better to do it naturally.

Frank gave some very good advice.

The only other thing I could suggest to you is adding the rocks...but I don't know the names of the pH raising ones, I know them by sight. So someone else is going to have to help me out here. For example, I think the pinkish/orange and white striped ones work.

SIDE NOTE: Frank can make clicky links now

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

ph is 6.8 the ammonia nitrites are at 0, the nitrate is very high hard to tell ppm cause the top few colors are the same natrate are droping, fish seem fine and i have recently added fish that are doing fine. I am useing PRIME and stress zyme to help bring down the nitrates. I recently returned from Iraq, my wife was taking care of my tank while i was gone, she had a little trouble keeping it up. I have been back for almost a month, so if I keep up with the tank things will return to normal?

Hi,
First, WELCOME BACK, and - THANK YOU!

Do regular water changes,say once a week of 20 or 30%
for now. Each time you do a water change (for now)
either stir up the gravel down to the glass or far better
yet, use the Python Syphon, and drive the head through
the gravel to the glass. The source of the high nitrate
is the detritus that is within the gravel. Mentally
divide the tank into quarters, and then clean the gravel
in one section, then in two weeks do the next section, and
so on. Once the tank is completely done things should be
back in hand. You should start seeing results after the
second gravel cleaning.
Personally, I would do away with the chemicals and use only
what is necessary to remove the chlorine and chloramine that
is in the tap water. Some of those chemicals actually make
the nitrate readings worse, as they change the composition
of the nitrate molecule, giving you a false high.

Initially driftwood will lower the pH of the water as it
leeches tannic acid into the water (turning it to a kind of
tea like color). However, after a while, a "rind" develops
that acts as a barricade and that slows, or prevents any
further affects on the pH.

If your water is acidic from the tap, you can always
use crushed oyster shells, crushed dolomite, or
crushed coral either as the substrate (100%) or some
of it in the toe of a pantie hose and place it in the output of the filter.
Another option is to use carbonate rocks as decorations
in the aquarium.
I would strongly advise against these latter options until
you are absolutely sure that you have a handle on the tank,
that it is clean, regular water changes are being made,
and the pH is stable.

Frank
AS1(AW) USN (ret)


Last edited by FRANK at 25-Jan-2005 16:59

-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Hi oz196, I just wanted to say Welcome Home and Thank You for serving as well.

Good luck on the tank

jan

take a look at this site on water chemistry it'll tell you the differences in the two "hardnesses" of water. one of them actually stabilizes ph and can help with your problem you can soften your gh level and raise your kh level at the same time maintaining your general hardness and stabilizing your ph good luck



http://www.liveaquaria.com/general/general.cfm?general_pagesid=94

also thanks for your service over there. i haven't been yet. i am currently assigned as a recruiter for now but i go back to the mainstream army in a few months. trying to get back to ft carson, co and i know i'll get my turn with iraq actually looking forward to it honestly