Kiwiwulf Posted May 31, 2003 Report Share Posted May 31, 2003 Having trouble with the pH in my tank. Currently testing at 5.0. I have been doing partial water cahnges daily for the past week. The exchange water is testing at 7.0 and this initially lifts pH to 6.0 then it slips back to 5.0. Ammonia was also wicked but is now down to OK levels. Given the pH reading is correct it appears to be having no ill effects on the tank inhabitants - Cherry Barbs, Danios and WCMM. Any suggestions on correcting pH? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted June 1, 2003 Report Share Posted June 1, 2003 Throw a handful of bird grit in some pantyhose into the filter. Works well in my tanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Posted June 3, 2003 Report Share Posted June 3, 2003 You can add some baking soda to bring the pH back up. If you use it, mix it in some water first and add a little at a time. Wait an hour or so before taking a reading. If your pH continues to drop it could be due to something in the tank creating acid ions and using up the pH buffering salts. You state the 'exchange water is testing at 7.0'. What is the source of the exchange water. Maybe it has little or no buffering capacity for pH. If that's the case you will need to add Baking Soda (sodium bicarbonate), Epson Salts (magnesium sulphate) and Calcium Chloride to stabilise the pH. All three must be mixed seperately and slowly introduced to the aquarium water. The future waterchanges can have the buffering salts added prior to addition to the tank. Use about a 2:1 ratio of Baking Soda to the other two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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