michael.qian Posted June 20, 2007 Report Share Posted June 20, 2007 Hi all I had 4 white clouds dying in the last 2 weeks, so I took a water sample to Hollywood for a water test. They said my pH is too low, gave me some marble agronite (I think that's what it's called) to put in my tank, was told to put a handful for my 130L tank. They also told me to put in a dose of fungi medicine, in case that might be the cause. I tested my pH regularly and this morning, it still seems too low just above 6, they said my tap water might be slightly acidic but I tested the tap water and it was above 7. So am I doing something wrong? my pH doesn't seem to be increasing. Thanks for all advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted June 21, 2007 Report Share Posted June 21, 2007 Water changes will bring it back towards 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael.qian Posted June 21, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2007 I can't change water until Saturday. Need 3 doses of medication at 24 hour intervals, then change the water. How would I maintain pH once I changed the water, so it doesn't change gradually with time. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snookie Posted June 21, 2007 Report Share Posted June 21, 2007 what sort of filter do you have , as maybe you could place agronite into your filter in a net bag / old stocking . etc.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ianab Posted June 21, 2007 Report Share Posted June 21, 2007 How would I maintain pH once I changed the water, so it doesn't change gradually with time. Thats the idea of putting some aragonite in the tank or the filter. It's mostly calcium carbonate, and will slowly dissolve over time and raise the PH (or at least prevent it falling too fast) That and regular water changes should keep your pH under control. Most fish will happily adjust to a pH of 6 to 8, but major swings in pH will stress them. Partial water changes and the aragonite will bring the pH back toward 7 gradually and hopefully keep it there. Cheers Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael.qian Posted June 21, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2007 Currently the agronite is sprinkled over some areas of the gravel, filter I use is a normal internal power filter with a sponge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jn Posted June 21, 2007 Report Share Posted June 21, 2007 What's your typical mantenance routine? I've read that pH does drop over time due to accumulation of waste products which is part of the reason you need regular water changes. So you have to expect to do some regular changes to keep your ph where you want it. If it were my tank (and I'm a newbie so maybe soneoen else can comment) I would do a good water change and then buy a ph test kit. Monitor your ph for a while and see at what point the ph starts to drop again and use that to help determine the frequency of these water changes (or just do them every 2 weeks as most people recommend) What sort of gravel do you have? Some gravel (especially the lighter types or those with shell in them) Will cause your pH to drop. I've also read that you can test this by taking some gravel out of the tank, and putting some vinegar on it. If it reacts (fizzes), then it will be affecting your pH. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puddle Posted June 21, 2007 Report Share Posted June 21, 2007 are your nitrates up that cansometimes lead to a plummet in ph Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael.qian Posted June 21, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2007 Nitrate and Ammonia are both 0. I usually do a 30% water change every two weeks, but for the past 4 weeks been doing 25% every week since the fish are starting to die. None have died for the past 2 weeks though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jn Posted June 21, 2007 Report Share Posted June 21, 2007 So maybe it's your gravel? Have you got a picture? If your nitrates are zero, you must have a fair number of plants? Plants can cause a swing in pH from nighttime to daytime if your water is fairly soft. Do you use CO2? That can also lower the pH as can some driftwood. What time of day did you take the sample from the tank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael.qian Posted June 21, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2007 Yes I have a good number of plants. Have the type of gravel in most fish shop tanks, some brown pieces, yellow, white and black. yes have a piece of driftwood, was also told that could lower the pH at the pet shop, but a lot of people have it and it looks good, so reluctant to remove it. Took pH readings yesterday afternoon, evening and this morning. How do I upload a picture? I have one of a few months back, when I still had some goldfish, but looks pretty much the same expect no longer any cabombas and plants have grown quite a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael.qian Posted June 21, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2007 Here's a picture, hope it shows. http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb63/michaelqian/CopyofDSC01004.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael.qian Posted June 21, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2007 Sorry didn't seem to work, anyway just copy and paste the link and you should be able to see it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaNs Posted June 21, 2007 Report Share Posted June 21, 2007 At the front of the address put or just highlight the address and click the Img button Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael.qian Posted June 21, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2007 Cheers for that. Anyway picture is a few months old, no more goldfish, no more cabombas or polyspermas, but rest is still the same, lots of plants have grown, especially the blue hygrophilas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted June 21, 2007 Report Share Posted June 21, 2007 Remove the driftwood and test it so you know for sure. If it isn't that then you can put it back again. I really hate people being told to add meds to a tank "cos it might be such and such.." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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