Help with ph/kh

[megant26]

My pH is below 6.2, KH is above 250(according to the test strip I just used).
Recently had a fish get stuck in a rock and die, didn't find it until a major water change after losing well over half my tank in 48 hours. Ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, and alkalinity are all safe. Ph super acidic, kH super hard. Can I fix this and if so, how? Sorry the test strip isn't fully visible, was mostly showing partner that it was still acidic.

 

[bgarthe]

First, welcome to FL. Sorry you’re having problems.

There are a few things to consider here.
1. Having a pH of 6.2 with a KH of 14 dKH (250 ppm) is, imo, really unusual unless you are dosing CO2 into the tank. Typically a high KH will buffer a higher pH. So the first thing to do is retest with your strips. Then I would use the liquid API test kits and check again. I’m not a strip test advocate.
2. Also test your tap water. Something doesn’t seem right.
3. Our thinking would best be helped if you filled out an Emergency Template completely with exact data, not with words like safe, ok, etc. I’m only trying to help you, not be a pain.

 

[megant26]

H

First, welcome to FL. Sorry you’re having problems.

There are a few things to consider here.
1. Having a pH of 6.2 with a KH of 14 dKH (250 ppm) is, imo, really unusual unless you are dosing CO2 into the tank. Typically a high KH will buffer a higher pH. So the first thing to do is retest with your strips. Then I would use the liquid API test kits and check again. I’m not a strip test advocate.
2. Also test your tap water. Something doesn’t seem right.
3. Our thinking would best be helped if you filled out an Emergency Template completely with exact data, not with words like safe, ok, etc. I’m only trying to help you, not be a pain.

Have an API test kit on the way, will update with exact text results.