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	ph going up during fishless cycle
Beefshank Enthusiast Posts: 246 Kudos: 141 Votes: 36 Registered: 30-Jun-2004	I am only about 8 hours into my fishless cycle, after seeding the tank with 5ppm of ammonia. Now, after testing again, my ph has gone from 7.8 up to 8.2. Does anybody know if I can expect it to continue to rise this fast? What level is to high for the bacteria to thrive? And if it gets to high, should I try to bring it down with chemicals, or water changes? Oh, my tank temp is about 87f. thanks, -Dennis
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:54
Shinigami Ichthyophile Catfish/Oddball Fan Posts: 9962 Kudos: 2915 Registered: 22-Feb-2001	I've never thought about there being too high of a pH for the bacteria to live in... Anyway, this is happening because your ammonia you're adding is picking up hydrogen protons from the hydronium ions and becoming ammonium. This is making the water more basic. Technically you can bring this back down by adding acid, but since you have no fish in there, I wouldn't mess with it (actually, I wouldn't add anymore ammonia either). -------------------------------------------- The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:54
Veteric Big Fish Posts: 376 Kudos: 549 Votes: 7 Registered: 19-Apr-2004	good luck making the ph too high for nitrifying bacteria; they can survive what fish can't, so personaly I wouldn't be concerned. If you're realy concerned check this http://ce.ecn.purdue.edu/~alleman/w3-articles/nitrifier-physiology/nitrifier-behavior.html and check out the heading "pH and alkalinity" - their optimal is 7.5-8.5
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:54
Beefshank Enthusiast Posts: 246 Kudos: 141 Votes: 36 Registered: 30-Jun-2004	thanks! the article actually says ideal ph is up to 8.2, so after only 8 hours, I was at that level . But I did see that over 9 is a problem, so I will watch for that for sure! When I get home from work, I will do a test at the 24hour mark, so we'll see what happens. But IF I have to lower it, during a cycle, would you recommend water change, or chemicals to lower it? thanks, -Dennis
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:54
Veteric Big Fish Posts: 376 Kudos: 549 Votes: 7 Registered: 19-Apr-2004	dropping the pH would be harder because of the buffering, better to do a change I'de think.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:54
Fallout Moderator Communications Specialist Posts: 6416 Kudos: 4053 Votes: 742 Registered: 29-Jul-2000	drop your temperature about 10 degrees.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:54
Beefshank Enthusiast Posts: 246 Kudos: 141 Votes: 36 Registered: 30-Jun-2004	really? I read that between 85 and 90 was the best temp for the bacteria to thrive in. -Dennis
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:54


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