Unable to Raise PH in 5 Gallon Tank

I have a perplexing issue with my 5 gallon Beta tank. The PH is low 6.4 - 6.5 and I'm unable to raise it. Over three days I have used two doses of API Proper PH 7.0 and one dose of API PH Up. The alkalinity has gone up to around 80, but the PH stubbornly refuses to go up. Both test strips and the API Fresh Water test kit confirm the results. All of the other values like Nitrite, Ammonia and Chlorine are at safe levels. It's basically the same PH as it came out of the tap with added alkalinity.

The tank has a small Hikari foam filter with an air stone and I made sure that was turned up as well.

I started focusing in on the PH because I noticed a green algae bloom and the only thing that I could find that might explain it is the PH. The beta seems to be healthy and eating well.

Any thoughts as to what might be going on with the water? I have also ordered a digital PH meter.

 

I have a perplexing issue with my 5 gallon Beta tank. The PH is low 6.4 - 6.5 and I'm unable to raise it. Over three days I have used two doses of API Proper PH 7.0 and one dose of API PH Up. The alkalinity has gone up to around 80, but the PH stubbornly refuses to go up. Both test strips and the API Fresh Water test kit confirm the results. All of the other values like Nitrite, Ammonia and Chlorine are at safe levels. It's basically the same PH as it came out of the tap with added alkalinity.

The tank has a small Hikari foam filter with an air stone and I made sure that was turned up as well.

I started focusing in on the PH because I noticed a green algae bloom and the only thing that I could find that might explain it is the PH. The beta seems to be healthy and eating well.

Any thoughts as to what might be going on with the water? I have also ordered a digital PH meter.

I’d steer clear of ph fixing products for the time being as they can often do more harm than they do good. I don’t think your algae issue is down to your ph level though - it will likely be caused by excess lighting or nutrients in your tank.

Do you have full details of your tank parameters? Any pictures of the tank and algae in question?

 

You could try crushed coral to raise it.

But about the algae bloom, I don't think low ph can cause them, if anything it would be high ph. do you have plants in the tank, and if so, what are your hours for your aquarium light, and how much fertilizer are you dosing?

If you don't have plants, is it near a window with direct sunlight or have a vent near it? What is the temperature of the tank?

 

I have a perplexing issue with my 5 gallon Beta tank. The PH is low 6.4 - 6.5 and I'm unable to raise it. Over three days I have used two doses of API Proper PH 7.0 and one dose of API PH Up. The alkalinity has gone up to around 80, but the PH stubbornly refuses to go up. Both test strips and the API Fresh Water test kit confirm the results. All of the other values like Nitrite, Ammonia and Chlorine are at safe levels. It's basically the same PH as it came out of the tap with added alkalinity.

The tank has a small Hikari foam filter with an air stone and I made sure that was turned up as well.

I started focusing in on the PH because I noticed a green algae bloom and the only thing that I could find that might explain it is the PH. The beta seems to be healthy and eating well.

Any thoughts as to what might be going on with the water? I have also ordered a digital PH meter.

Hi welcome to fishlore.

Given Betta naturally come from water with low pH and low GH I would steer clear of adjusting it upwards or at all. pH swings can be detrimental to fish health. .

 

I agree. I wouldn't be trying to adjust the pH level. I don't think the pH level has anything to do with the algae bloom. As others have said, algae is normally caused by a light on too long or excess nutrients in the water feeding it.

In most cases a stable pH is much better than a specific number.

 

I agree. I wouldn't be trying to adjust the pH level. I don't think the pH level has anything to do with the algae bloom. As others have said, algae is normally caused by a light on too long or excess nutrients in the water feeding it.

In most cases a stable pH is much better than a specific number.

That is good to know about pH. I see the fish eat all of his food. The light is an LED. I can limit that to 6-8 hours a day and see what happens.

Hi welcome to fishlore.

Given Betta naturally come from water with low pH and low GH I would steer clear of adjusting it upwards or at all. pH swings can be detrimental to fish health. .

Thanks for the welcome. I was concerned that it was too acidic and uncomfortable for the fish, but I'll stop messing with the pH and work on regulating the light for the algae.

 

That is good to know about pH. I see the fish eat all of his food. The light is an LED. I can limit that to 6-8 hours a day and see what happens.

How long do you have it on now? Because anything higher than 8 hours in a non-Co2 tank is too much imo.

 

How long do you have it on now? Because anything higher than 8 hours in a non-Co2 tank is too much imo.

I probably have it on about 12 hours.

 

I probably have it on about 12 hours.

Yeah, that's too long, do you have ferts? If yes, I'd do 8 hours, if you don't I'd do 6 hours.