David593

right now my API freshwater master liquid test is reading a pH o 6.0 It may be lowers though as 6.0 is the lowest reading. I am worried about my ph being so low and not really knowing how low it really is. The tank just finished the cycle and currently have a pleco in it. (55g BTW). I have noting else in the tank except a large peice of driftwood. I knew the driftwood would lower ph, but i thought it woul keep it around 6.4 or so. What I am asking is;

How do I know how low my ph really is?
HOw can I raise it do that it is safer? (driftwood has been boiled)
IS this ph safe with the following fish:

rummynose tetras
german blue ram
apistos
zebra danios
angelfish
pleco
rainbowfish

Thansk for the help

Lucy

You might find this thread helpful:
Changing your pH

David593

i Was just looking at it. I understand what it says. I am just baffled that my ph is this low considering the fact that my tap water is arouind 8. Could my driftwood be making it this low? could it be the fact that i just finished a cycle?

My ten gal is the same way. It has no driftwood but stays at around 6.4...I find it odd since my tap is a lot higher.

David593

I stand corrected. I just tested my tap and it is at 7.0

Sorry about that, i don't know why i thought otherwise.

Iron waffle

are you using CO2?

Lucy

After I posted the links, I realized it really wouldn't answer your question about why the PH is so much lower than your tap.

I'm sure one of the other members will see this and be able to help you.

David593

thanks, and i am not using co2.

My tap is actually 7.0, I just tested...But i don't like how it is at 6.0 I don't even know if it's 5.0 or 4.0...The pleco seems fine and most of the fish i am getting prefer acidic water. (mostly SA tank)

lew2000

This is a good one - most people of course have to deal with too high a pH. And since it is both tanks - do you have surface agitation in your tank to release CO2? When water from the tap is tested, there is slight release of CO2 due to the agitation of filling the bucket/tank/test vial. Your bio-load in the 10gal. might be a little high?? But unless there is excess waste in the tank which will lower pH slightly.

lew2000

If you want to increase the alakalinity of your tank/raise pH, you could add either crushed coral, limestone, or petrified coral will also do the trick. In reading other sites pH adjusters usually don't seem to last since the buffering of the water (kh) will essentially stabilize the pH of the water. You can also do aeration to slightly raise the pH - drives out more CO2
How often do you do water changes?

Alessa

Have you vacuumed your gravel often? plecos are huge waste producers, and a massive accumulation of solid wastes can lower the PH dramatically.

David593

I just put in the pleco 2 days ago. He is 5 inches or so. My tankl just finnished cycling 2 days ago and my pleco is just my starter fish. Other than that, there is nothing else in the tank except for the driftwood. I have a bubbler rated for 60 gallons, so there is water agitation. I am planning to do weekly 20% water changes starting this saturday.

cerianthus

Driftwood has water softening ability (produces tannic acid and humic acid) thus KH (carbonate hardness;buffer) will be lowered and pH will go down.
I dont think it is much lowered than 6 since NH3, NO2 did not spiked yet. It will happend when pH is low enough to duisturb/kill beneficial bacteria that tank established during cycling.

Provided NH3 and NO2 is zero, use crushed coral/equivalents in bag and place in the filter rather than in tank loosely for easy retrieval when desired pH is achieved. Should remove and use as needed.

When adding new fish, always test the water same day before the purchase to ensure all is well. Of course, should test the water after new arrivals too.

David593

Thank you for the info on how to know if it is too low. that's good to know

any ideas on where I could find crushed coral? and how much do I need. (I have a canister filter btw)