ADA Amazonia ver2 pH buffer?

Hey! My tank has been around 1.5 months old. I’m currently using ADA Amazonia Ver2 soil. All my parameters are fine regarding ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. I’ve heard the Amazonia ver2 soil tends to lower pH and buffer but how much is it typically at? My aquarium pH without Co2 is already around 5.4-5.5 so with Co2 it goes down even more. The pH doesn’t swing even though my kH is 0 so its ok? I guess, but I would like to aim for pH of 6-6.5. Is the soil suppose to buffer by this much or is there something wrong? If so, how can I fix this issue. I want my pH to be stable at around 6-6.5. I use RO water with pH around 6-7 and remineralize with seachem Equilibrium.

 

That is normal for Aquasoil. especially new soil.

It should settle out over time at the low / mid 6's. Even though the CO2 may be off, it still might not be fully degassed causing the lower pH's

How are you measuring pH?

 

That is normal for Aquasoil. especially new soil.

It should settle out over time at the low / mid 6's. Even though the CO2 may be off, it still might not be fully degassed causing the lower pH's

How are you measuring pH?

I use a Sera pH test kit along with a pH probe. Both results match so I don’t think my test tools are faulty. I’m just worried about the pH dropping well below 6 since I have fish. I’m sure they’re fine but I’m also propagating bucephalandra in the same tank so I was hoping for a stable pH 6-6.5.

 

Okay, yes it's likely not a testing error.

With CO2 you'll never have a stable pH. It will always be dropping when CO2 is on until it reaches equilibrium. Then when CO2 is off the pH will rise until the water is completely degassed.

If CO2 is used 24/7 the pH will drop when the lights are off and it will rise when the lights are on (as CO2 levels build up / are consumed by plants).

If you are worried about a low pH, don't be. Many successful planted tanks are in the low 5's, even in the high 4's when running very rich CO2 in a buffered tank.

Remember, pH fluctuations from CO2 are not harmful to livestock because the mineral content / hardness is not changing, it's simply a build up of a weak acid (carboxylic acid) that's causing the drop in pH.

 

Okay, yes it's likely not a testing error.

With CO2 you'll never have a stable pH. It will always be dropping when CO2 is on until it reaches equilibrium. Then when CO2 is off the pH will rise until the water is completely degassed.

If CO2 is used 24/7 the pH will drop when the lights are off and it will rise when the lights are on (as CO2 levels build up / are consumed by plants).

If you are worried about a low pH, don't be. Many successful planted tanks are in the low 5's, even in the high 4's when running very rich CO2 in a buffered tank.

Remember, pH fluctuations from CO2 are not harmful to livestock because the mineral content / hardness is not changing, it's simply a build up of a weak acid (carboxylic acid) that's causing the drop in pH.

I see! Thank you so much for clarifying! I’ll keep an eye on the buffering of the soil CO2 fluctuations!