Cycling Tank With Low Ph

I'm currently cycling a new tank but I've just hit an issue with my pH dropping to around 6.0. This morning I did a water change to try to increase my pH (tap water here is 7.0) which brought it back up to 6.8 but I've just tested again tonight and it's dropped back to 6.0.
My tank was almost cycled and I'm worried all my bacteria are going to die!
This mornings reading were:
Ammonia 0.25
Nitrite 2.0
Nitrate 40
pH 6.0 (water change brought back up to 6.8)

Tonight's the eadings are:
Ammonia 0.25
Nitrite 1.0
Nitrate 20
pH 6.0

Should I do another water change? Or is there something I should add? Also worried going forward putting fish in it (being set up for a Betta)
(Funnily enough I have some tiny baby snails that have come in on the plants and they're surviving this!)

The tank is 5 gallon planted with ADA Amazonia soil substrate which I know lowers pH but the tank was set up on 14 May and pH has sat around 7.0 -6.8 til now.

Would love any advise anyone may have! Thank you

 

Hello!

I have the exact same problem...try checking your KH out of your tap, if it's low, your pH is going to be low because there is no buffer. A good solution is adding some crushed coral, it'll raise the ph and keep it stabilized, and you can change it in a month or two; or even more because your tank is smaller. It'll be better for your Betta as well; they're hardy, but >6.0 is pretty low for these guys.

A low ph does stall the cycle because it's harder for the BB to grow, took me months to get it going and I had to use overkill filtration. Adding the coral should increase how fast your colonies grow since the ph is more suitable.

Hope this helps and best of luck!

 

Thank you KinsKicks. I'll head to the lfs tomorrow morning and try to grab some coral.
Is there a particular amount that's needed/gallon or is it an add some and see?
Will I have lost the bacteria with such a low pH or should my cycle start up again once I get the pH sorted?
Sorry, too many questions!

 

It's really hard to measure out, and I can't give exact numbers as our Kh's may differ. The best thing you can try, since your tank is smaller is use a couple of pieces (measure or weigh), let it mix in the water for an hour or so and test it. If it's a bit too low still, add the appropriate amount to get it to where you want it to be; it's easier to add in little portions than throw in too much and have too large of a pH. Plus, you don't want to shock the BB either.

Your bacteria should start up again; your cycle is going at a low pH, so they are there (just slow), and if you gradually acclimate them to the higher ph (like above) you should be fine and they should get going again.

And there are never enough questions in the world!!

 

Thank you again KinsKicks! You are awesome