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hey guys,
I have a 3 ft tank with the following,
3 small silver sharks,1 red tail black,2 clown, 4 bloodfin tetras 2 corys, 2 tiger barbs,2 angels
I want to raise the PH to at least 7 to 7.2
this is my parameters:
PH 6.2
AMMONIA 0
NITRATE 20ppm
NITRITE 0.
I don't want to raise the PH too quick.
Tap water is at 7.2 if i do a 25% water change could this harm the fish?
any other suggestions?

25% water changes will be fine. Just make sure that you match water temp. If you can swing it two water changes a day will be better.

The question you need to address though is why your tank is lower than your tap water. If you have driftwood in the tank or if you're injecting CO2 you're likely to remain with a low PH. Also keep in mind that a fluctuating PH is just as, if not more stressfull to the fish than too low or too high a ph.

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25% water change will do no harm & to raise the ph, you can add a piece of Limestone in your filter or tank.


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Limestone and other rock will help, but I agree with Babelfish, your pH should stay the same as your tap water. What is your kH and nitrAte level? If your nitrAtes get to high it will lower your kH level which is the water's ability to buffer against pH changes. This could leave to the dreaded pH crash.

Sorry....I see your nitrAte level posted clearly there!!! It's been a long day at work :%) Are you using any driftwood in your tank? This would bring your tap water's pH down as well. If so you need to take it out and do a few water chnages and your pH should bouce back.

Last edited by crazyred at 04-Oct-2005 16:08

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thanks guys for that. I am just going to do constant changes. I havent done a water change in ages before today and I now have lowered my nitrate.
just a question though if water is left untreated unchanged just with filteration will the PH lower on its own?
regards Dan

...if water is left untreated unchanged just with filteration will the PH lower on its own?

Dan,

pH will decline in an aquarium due to the buildup of wastes. It is called "old tank" syndrome. Since you hadn't done a water change in "ages", I assume that the tank had been setup for some time with the nitrate readingsand with your lower pH, you had classic "old tank".

Last edited by bob wesolowski at 05-Oct-2005 09:38

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thanks Bob for that..

Hi
Old Tank Syndrome (OTS) takes place in a tank that has
had poor maintenance. Here is a link that describes it:
[link=http://www.bestfish.com/oldtank.html]http://www.bestfish.com/oldtank.html" style="COLOR: #FF00FF[/link]

With nitrates reading 20, you are nowhere near the 100+
reading that describes OTS. You simply have a maturing
tank and regular (weekly) 10-20% water changes are all
that is necessary, along with a regimented gravel cleaning.

As your tank ages, the organic acids will build up and that
will cause the pH to drop. Again, simple, regular, water
changes will resolve the problem.

Frank


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