ApolloX54

I just found out my pH is at like a 6. I'm thinking it could be the new rocks I added a while back. I assume this could change the behavior of my fish. How do I correct this the right way? Doesn't limestone of something raise pH.. and seashells?

sirdarksol

It would be very strange for rocks to change the pH. If minerals change the pH, they usually raise it.

driftwood, dead plants, or an excess of food/waste in the substrate all can drop the pH, as they either add tanins to the water or build an acidic form of nitrogen in the water. CO2 can also drop the pH.

My first suggestion would be to test your tap water to make sure it hasn't changed. Then, re-test the aquarium. If the tap water tests at neutral, and if the aquarium still stays low, do a few partial water changes over the next few days, to see if this brings the pH up a bit. Be sure to do a thorough job of vacuuming (if you have an under-gravel filter, you may only want to vacuum half this week and half next week) to get the waste out of the gravel.
Keep a close eye on the pH over the next couple of weeks. If it drops quickly after a water change, it may be a good idea to pull the new rocks out to try to confirm/deny if they're the problem.

aquarist48

Hello! Great information from Sirdarksol! Here is a link you may find helpful concerning maintaining a pH level (if you haven't seen it already).
Properly Maintaining the pH in a Freshwater Aquarium - Rate My Fish Tank
Best of luck!
Ken

ApolloX54

Ok I do have some dying plants but they are only 2 stalks of Anascharis about 1-2" long. There is no CO2 or driftwood. I do vacuum at least every other day, but I have a sand (which my cories just love) so vacuuming is really just a patch a that gets poor circulation. That is where things collect if they don't make it through the filter.

I will test the tap again and do a water change when I get back in a couple hours. Also I'll get an air stone in my tank seeing how my water isn't agitated.

Also could the lower pH cause some cories to become very lazy and others to swim like they wanna mate. Even though I sure they are too young.