Can't stabilize pH in new tank

We've had our 20 gallon long set up for a little over a month now cycling. In there we have 3 giant danios and a nerite snail (we jump-started the cycle with the sponge filter from an established tank which is why we have fish). We also have I think spider driftwood, lace rock and java moss. When we finally checked the pH we realized it was extremely high, 8.8ppm. We put some neutral regulator and waited a while. When we checked it again its at 7.8ppm. Our tap water reads at 7.4 when I checked it with high range pH test. Could anything we have in there be raising the pH and what can we do about it? It keeps spiking back up and we don't want to keep putting neutral regulator unless we have to because I definitely don't want to pH shock them

 

I haven't experienced issues with ph, but to be honest I've also never checked mine. It's my understanding that most fish do better with stable ph then with it fluctuating because the fish keeper is chasing the "ideal" level.

 

The fish can adapt to 7.8, it's odd that your high test reads lower. It's really better not to buffer but to stabilize to the water you have. Keep testing. I have frightened myself a few times with high PH sometimes wondering if my test tubes were always rinsed well. You will eventually have to up grade for the Giant Danios.
A 55-gallon tank is the recommended minimum size, it is possible to keep them in a 30- or 40-gallon tank if it is the long variety. Any tank under 36 inches in length is simply too small to keep Giant Danios comfortably as they need the length, they are racing swimmers!
Because they have a tendency to jump, keep the tank kept well covered at all times. I had a 4 inch jump on me last week, made it through an inch crack at the front of the tank.

 

I just googled lace rock and the very first thing that came up tells us that lace rock can dramatically raise the pH of aquariums.

 

I just googled lace rock and the very first thing that came up tells us that lace rock can dramatically raise the pH of aquariums.

I saw that too, generally used for cichlids. Is it a large piece of lace rock that you have in the tank? Perhaps take it out, do a semI water change and retest. What are your other tank parameters right now?

 

The fish can adapt to 7.8, it's odd that your high test reads lower. It's really better not to buffer but to stabilize to the water you have. Keep testing. I have frightened myself a few times with high PH sometimes wondering if my test tubes were always rinsed well. You will eventually have to up grade for the Giant Danios.
A 55-gallon tank is the recommended minimum size, it is possible to keep them in a 30- or 40-gallon tank if it is the long variety. Any tank under 36 inches in length is simply too small to keep Giant Danios comfortably as they need the length, they are racing swimmers!
Because they have a tendency to jump, keep the tank kept well covered at all times. I had a 4 inch jump on me last week, made it through an inch crack at the front of the tank.

Okay thank you! The giant danios were borrowed from the owner of my LFS to help cycle my tank, once it's all set they will be going back and I'm getting fish more suitable for a 20 long.

I just googled lace rock and the very first thing that came up tells us that lace rock can dramatically raise the pH of aquariums.

Woops, good to know thank you.

I saw that too, generally used for cichlids. Is it a large piece of lace rock that you have in the tank? Perhaps take it out, do a semI water change and retest. What are your other tank parameters right now?

I only tested ammonia and pH this morning and ammonia was between .25 and .5ppm we add prime every day so the fish are safe. And pH was 7.8 I haven't checked anything else yet

 

Okay thank you! The giant danios were borrowed from the owner of my LFS to help cycle my tank, once it's all set they will be going back and I'm getting fish more suitable for a 20 long.

Woops, good to know thank you.

I only tested ammonia and pH this morning and ammonia was between .25 and .5ppm we add prime every day so the fish are safe. And pH was 7.8 I haven't checked anything else yet

I only add prime to the water I change with if I'm cycling or the ammonia is up for any reason. I don't know about dosing the tank everyday and no water changes. Is this a good way to do it.. anyone?

 

I only add prime to the water I change with if I'm cycling or the ammonia is up for any reason. I don't know about dosing the tank everyday and no water changes. Is this a good way to do it.. anyone?

Every other day might be more accurate but we test the water 2 or 3 times a week and as soon as there is no longer ammonia we'll stop obviously