outthere

I was wondering if you are supposed to do partial water changes during the cycle process?

lilsoccakid

only if you are doing the cycle with fish

outthere

Ok.. Im doing it right then thanks

capekate

You may also want to do some water tests as well, since you have fish in the tank while cycling.

outthere

I am. Its funny though because this is my second tank and the first I had I didnt know anything. I just put the fish in and kept it clean and everything worked out fine. Now I have a master test kit and monitor it all. My new tank has a pH of 8.0 which worries me but the fish seem to be fine. It has been a week now and no problems to mention. I even have an angelfish in there(not by choice). I have 7 platys, 3 corys, an oto, 2 unidentified little fish and the angelfish. I know that is about the limit so I am watching closely daily.

Amnagrla

yeah, the pH is a bit high. Have you tested your tap water? if the tap water is 8... then, hmmm... The fish would rather you always have a pH too high then to have you have to constantly treat for it and have it high then low, high then low. Consistency is best.

outthere

wow.. ok.. i just bought some pH down. I guess I wont be using it lol.. Yes they seem to be ok with it so I wont try to lower it. thx

Amnagrla

I would still test your tap water and make sure that's why the pH is up.

I bought pH down stuff too. I think when I used it, it ended up doing more damage than good.

outthere

You were right. I tested my tap water and its around 7.2 Then I tested my established tank and its 7.4 so what would make my new tank so high? I have hard water also. Could it be that its still cycling?

Amnagrla

It could be because of a lot of things!

It depends.. how long has your tank been running? Have you made any changes lately? New fish or decor? Plants? Water changes can change pH. The time of day can also have an affect (photosynthesis raises pH.. ) all sorts of things.

Here is a really great page fishlore has to answer your questions.

read this.. and calm down. :-) It'll be fine!!
http://www.fishlore.com/Articles/PHArticle.htm

outthere

lol.. im fine thanks as are my fish. Im just glad I got a real test kit and not the all in one strips. I am still learning. 6 months into the fish thing and i am already addicted.

Amnagrla

lol Got you beat. 4 months and I'm a TOTAL addict. Everyone laughs at me in "real" life.... they just don't understand!!!

outthere

Nice.. I have an empty 29g with stand that I am unsure if I want to sell or get more fish!! I think I might make it a tank for a big fish or 2

Amnagrla

lol do itttt..... I would.

**peer pressure**

MelissaF672

Quick fixes never work out good Those products are temp. fixes but your problem with ph lies in ion buffers naturally in the water you're using that will revert the ph back to it's original level after you've used those products within a short amount of time.

The thing about tap water is you may get a reading of 7.2 right out of the faucet but let it stand for a few hours then test it again and you'll find the PH has risen... it does it naturally after it airs out n stuff.

P.S. Try peet... i never have but a few friends swear it lower their PH and keeps it stable.
P.S.S. I'm not sure why.... maybe it's the reverse osmosis that does it i've never looked into it but it seems water filtered by RO almost always has a lower PH. Maybe with your occasional water changes if you don't have an RO filter you could drop by a water store near you - only 25 cents a gallon round here and it's PH is lower than straight city water...