Stubborn High PH Problem

A few years back we had gotten a saltwater fish tank and but it was too difficult and time/money consuming. So after a few years we let it go and it sat running fishless for a long time. We decided to change over to freshwater. It's a Red Sea Max 250 so the filtering system etc. is all self-contained within the tank. It is meant to be a fish and reef tank so it was overkill for freshwater. We removed the sand (I believe crushed coral), rock, coral etc. and scraped off any mineral deposits we could find and soaked all removable parts we planned on reusing in vinegar and then water. We removed some unnecessary parts, replaced a broken internal filter pump and changed the light bulbs to fluorescent daylight. We did reuse a black plastic filter sponge that was soaked for 24 hours in vinegar then water. I'm sure there's some mineral deposit and a few grains of sand etc. that we missed. Added filter material, a nitrate removing media pad and charcoal pouch to the skimmer box.
Once clean, we filled it with fresh water and did multiple complete water changes over a couple weeks to reduce/remove any salt and vinegar residue.
Here's the problem... our Ph is high. We are using well water that is a neutral 6.8 but after sitting in the tank overnight, it skyrockets to 8.2 without any additives.
Over the last 7 to 8 weeks we tried "Neutral Regulator 7.0". More water changes and partial water changes. "Ph-down". Lastly we started fresh with a full water change and put in Malaysian drift wood and spider wood since we heard that should lower the pH then let it cycle for about 3 weeks. And within 24 hours it shot up to 8.2 and it has been high (8.4) ever since. A week ago we did a partial water change and right back up 8.2 overnight.
Why is this happening!
Help! This is driving us crazy.
Cheri

 

Welcome to Fishlore

It may be something in the tank causing this or it could be what you pH is once it gasses off. You can find out by putting some water in a container. Run an air stone in it. Check the pH level in 24 hours. If it has gone up from the original reading it may be what it is going to be. Lots of folks here have a pH this high in their fresh water tanks. Most of the time it is best to just stock for your pH level instead of trying to keep it at a different number.

 

Hi. Thanks for your help. I have a container with tap water and a bubbler set up. I'm anxious to see what happens. Thanks again.

 

Hello, and welcome to the forum. I'm one of those people mattgirl mentioned who has a wide variety of fish and invertebrates thriving in 8.2 pH water. As long as you don't select fish that especially require low pH, and there aren't all that many, you should be fine with your water as-is.

 

Welcome to Fishlore

** mattgirl. You were right!! I can't believe it was that easy. This has been a monkey on my back for over 2 months. I never new tap water could change PH with just an air stone and SO fast!
I can finally stop fretting about by tank and just enjoy it.
And now that I know, I can stock it with the appropriate fish.
THANK YOU!!!

Hello, and welcome to the forum. I'm one of those people mattgirl mentioned who has a wide variety of fish and invertebrates thriving in 8.2 pH water. As long as you don't select fish that especially require low pH, and there aren't all that many, you should be fine with your water as-is.

JettsPapa. Thank you! Now that I know, I will be able to stock with the proper fish and sit back and enjoy.

 

** @mattgirl. You were right!! I can't believe it was that easy. This has been a monkey on my back for over 2 months. I never new tap water could change PH with just an air stone and SO fast!
I can finally stop fretting about by tank and just enjoy it.
And now that I know, I can stock it with the appropriate fish.
THANK YOU!!!
JettsPapa. Thank you! Now that I know, I will be able to stock with the proper fish and sit back and enjoy.

You are so very welcome I am happy we were able to get to the bottom of this so quickly.