PETEYPLECO

I have guesstimated that the average PH for my collection of different species in my tank should be 7. The tank has been consistantly at PH 6.6 for two or three months dispite adding "proper ph 7.0" at recommended dose with no change. Is this because I am running my filter with carbon and it is removing the chemicals? Am being over concerned and its just my tanks natural environment at PH 6.6 as my fish seem okay and happy?

To give you some background, my tank is 130 ltr 700x380x600, PH 6.6, 27 Deg with a fluval 204 external with standard biomax in the lower and carbon in the middle, one 10" air stone for the air curtain look, an aqua one twin tube light w/ 15w 15000K UV and 15w 6800K fluro which are both on for 12 to 13 hours a day and I also leave the UV light on all night, I do weekly partial water changes and gravel vac. My problems are my plants (forgotten the types I have) look terible eg not much new foliage and the leaves on my sword are going brown and curly. They are just not flourishing (have also bought some plastic ones just to make myself feel better). HELP I WANT THAT LUSH LOOK !

Hi to all! Im from the north shore and relativly new (6 months now) to keeping fish. I have learnt a hell of a lot from this site as well as Aucklands best LFS "hollywoods". My now 18 month old son got a small goldfish tank for his first birthday in july last year and seeing as dad had the job of looking after them I seem to have gotten hooked and since had a "real" tank made. My tank is approx 130 ltr 700x300x600, I have 1 goldspot pleco, 3 clown loaches, 2 silver sharks, 1 geophagus (not sure of its common name) and 7 neons - I will post some pics at some stage. Looking forward to learning more and to have some rather pressing questions answered. :roll: