Tap PH higher than Tank

So I’ve had a bit of a struggle keeping my ph stable (due to fluval stratum) although recently I’ve used Seachem’s alkaline buffer and acid buffer together and have managed to get a stable ph of around 7.4. The issue is, my tap is 8.2ppm (after sitting out for 24 hours) and I don’t want to add any of the tap to the tank in fear of making it unstable again. Not sure if I should redose the alkaline & acid buffer after a water change aswell. Apologies for the lack of knowledge in water chemistry as I’m still knew to the hobby and feel the need to ask questions. Any help is appreciated!

 

When trying to chemically alter one's tap, instability in parameters often occur. A sharp PH rebound is the usual complaint.
IMO, it's best to stock species that will tolerate local tap rather than alter the tap to meet the needs of a
fragile, less tolerant species.
There are multitudes of species that can survive water parameters far outside their listed prime conditions.
mattgirl might be able provide better info.
Don't get frustrated, things will level out. Btw, welcome to Fishlore.

 

I agree with A201 A stable pH is much better than a specific number. Do you have fish in this tank? You say your tap water is 8.2 How high does the pH go in the tank if you do nothing? If it goes no higher than the 8.2 coming from your tap then i recommend stocking your tank with fish that will be comfortable once acclimated to that level.

Most of the fish available to us are tank bred and raised. They are far removed from the conditions they originally came from and can be acclimated to what we have for them. There are a few species that have to have specific levels to thrive but for the most part we need to work with what we have instead of chasing the perfect number.

I am going to call StarGirl in. She has very hard water with a high pH level so may be able to reassure you that what I am saying is right.

The only time I recommend trying to change the pH is when it is well below 7. Even then the only thing I recommend is adding crushed coral to raise and stabilize it.

 

The only reason I’ve altered the ph is due to the buffering effects of fluval stratum. The substrate lowers my tap ph from 8.2 to 6.0 within about a day. I managed to cycle it with some used filter media and ammonia. I’ve been able to stabilize it at 7.4ppm with seachem alkaline buffer and acid buffer but haven’t done a water change since. (It’s been about a week). I currently have 2 mollies in my tank which were added a few days after the ph was stabilized.

 

My tap is 8.2 after sitting 24 hours and 7.6 straight from the tap. I don't think I have heard of substrate buffering it that much. May be wrong though.

 

If you are going to play chemistry set in the tank, you’ll need an appropriately sized storage barrel to play chemistry set in for water changes.

Its really not bad, couple go rounds with dosing and an appropriate period for the pH to bounce and settle, and you’ll be there.

 

you should test the GH and KH of your tap water.

 

The only reason I’ve altered the ph is due to the buffering effects of fluval stratum. The substrate lowers my tap ph from 8.2 to 6.0 within about a day. I managed to cycle it with some used filter media and ammonia. I’ve been able to stabilize it at 7.4ppm with seachem alkaline buffer and acid buffer but haven’t done a water change since. (It’s been about a week). I currently have 2 mollies in my tank which were added a few days after the ph was stabilized.

It sounds like what you are doing is working for you. Since I've not used these products I really can't comment on their uses. I am surprised to hear the substrate is lowering your pH this much. If that was the case those that do need to lower theirs would be shouting this products ability to drop it this low so quickly from the rooftops. This leads me to think something else is causing this to happen.

It is actually making me wonder if something else is at the bottom of the drop from 8.2 to 6. Have you set out some of your tap water for 24 hours to see if it naturally drops?

 

It sounds like what you are doing is working for you. Since I've not used these products I really can't comment on their uses. I am surprised to hear the substrate is lowering your pH this much. If that was the case those that do need to lower theirs would be shouting this products ability to drop it this low so quickly from the rooftops. This leads me to think something else is causing this to happen.

It is actually making me wonder if something else is at the bottom of the drop from 8.2 to 6. Have you set out some of your tap water for 24 hours to see if it naturally drops?

Same boat for me. 34ppm KH. Similar experience

 

It sounds like what you are doing is working for you. Since I've not used these products I really can't comment on their uses. I am surprised to hear the substrate is lowering your pH this much. If that was the case those that do need to lower theirs would be shouting this products ability to drop it this low so quickly from the rooftops. This leads me to think something else is causing this to happen.

It is actually making me wonder if something else is at the bottom of the drop from 8.2 to 6. Have you set out some of your tap water for 24 hours to see if it naturally drops?

The tap itself been sitting out for 24 hours is 8.2 this is the number that I tested. the kh is 179ppm of 10dkh, with the gh the same as kh. There was a typo in there, the ph actually dropped to about 6.4ppm which is about where fluval stratum buffers it too by stripping all the kh. Long term, I'm not sure what to do as while the seachem buffers are helping, the kh stays low regardless of those and I don't know whether they need to be redosed, they do mention to dose until he desired ph is reached but nothing about dosing while doing water changes with something that has a a different ph than the tank. More research is needed. I defiantly need to add some kh back through water changes, I'm just on the fence about the different ph levels between my tap and the tank.

 

Good news….the more water changes you make, the quicker it will slow down/stop crashing the kH. Once the substrate has sequestered all it can hold, you should be in the clear

 

Good news….the more water changes you make, the quicker it will slow down/stop crashing the kH. Once the substrate has sequestered all it can hold, you should be in the clear

This is what i was thinking too but didn't know for sure so didn't mention it. If this is the case I would be trying to stabilize this tank with water changes instead of adding things that fight against what the substrate is doing. I would do them often enough to not allow the pH to drop too low before doing another water change.