Ph has gone to low for african cichlids!

[Gordo124]

The ph for my 29 gallon tank was at 7.6 or maybe higher and now it's at 6.0! I don't even know how it got so low! I hadn't checked the ph for a while, so I don't know how long it's been like that. I did take a few grayish rocks out of the tank that maybe the problem, imma do a water change and put those rocks back in.. But if that doesn't work how can I return it to 7.6? How long can African cichlids last at such low ph levels?!?!?

 

[SKB]

Adding shells to your tank can help raise pH or else there are diff products you can buy at your lfs to raise pH. Do u have driftwood in ur tank?

Usually fish can somewhat get used to pH but that is pretty low for African cichlids. I would buy some shells or buy something to bring it up.

U sure you tested it correctly? Idk why it would go down all of a sudden

 

[Fishanatic]

This can be due to water quality issues. A drop of pH equal to 1 or more is called a pH swing in case it was a quick drop. This has a high risk to kill the fish, so make sure to limit any amount of stress. As said, make sure you re-test, try testing the water again, and make sure it isn't expired and you are using a liquid test kit. Don't buy any products to vary the pH as most are very toxic on long term.
Also, like SKB said, you can get driftwood or other types of rocks available to buffer the pH in the aquarium, but stay away from any artificial or bottled products.

 

[Convict2161]

Get some crushed coral, place it in a media bag, place the media bag in your filter and call it a day.

You wanna check your tap water also. This happened to me not to long ago. I noticed all my fish swimming at the bottom gasping and pretty much dying. I quickly tested water and found my pH at 6.0 and then tested tap which was the same. My tap was never that low. Whatever the water company did had lowered the pH and what I'd use to buffer say 7.2-7.6 wasn't enough to when it dropped to 6.0.

Crushed coral is a natural way to slowly raise your pH.


Remember also that stability is key. They can adjust to a variety of levels however pH swings is what will kill them. This is what happen to me. If there stressed believe me you'll know it.

http://youtu.be/cAGb4Fr9K20

 

[SKB]

Great information, I never used a pH changer product but I've heard of it. Never knew it was lethal. I'd listen to what the other 2 stated.

 

[Corydoras92299]

Get some crushed coral, place it in a media bag, place the media bag in your filter and call it a day.

You wanna check your tap water also. This happened to me not to long ago. I noticed all my fish swimming at the bottom gasping and pretty much dying. I quickly tested water and found my pH at 6.0 and then tested tap which was the same. My tap was never that low. Whatever the water company did had lowered the pH and what I'd use to buffer say 7.2-7.6 wasn't enough to when it dropped to 6.0.

Crushed coral is a natural way to slowly raise your pH.

Remember also that stability is key. They can adjust to a variety of levels however pH swings is what will kill them. This is what happen to me. If there stressed believe me you'll know it.

http://youtu.be/cAGb4Fr9K20

I agree crushed coral helps maintain a solid pH

 

[Gordo124]

Get some crushed coral, place it in a media bag, place the media bag in your filter and call it a day.

You wanna check your tap water also. This happened to me not to long ago. I noticed all my fish swimming at the bottom gasping and pretty much dying. I quickly tested water and found my pH at 6.0 and then tested tap which was the same. My tap was never that low. Whatever the water company did had lowered the pH and what I'd use to buffer say 7.2-7.6 wasn't enough to when it dropped to 6.0.

Crushed coral is a natural way to slowly raise your pH.

Remember also that stability is key. They can adjust to a variety of levels however pH swings is what will kill them. This is what happen to me. If there stressed believe me you'll know it.

http://youtu.be/cAGb4Fr9K20

Alright I will try the crushed coral thing... Aren't corals from salt water though? Would it be safe for my feather fin catfish?

 

[Convict2161]

Alright I will try the crushed coral thing... Aren't corals from salt water though? Would it be safe for my feather fin catfish?

Yea you'll be fine. Crushed coral is used to help buffer tanks they require high pH like saltwater and some freshwater. It's not coral. It's crushed coral in a media bag that the water for your filter will slowly just run through it and help maintain the proper pH for your tank.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=7322

 

[jseiverd]

Baking soda raises ph

 

[Convict2161]

Baking soda raises ph

True... But your post left a lot of info out. If the OP was to use baking soda to raise the pH how much would they use? How often? How fast does it work? The key here is to slowly raise the pH and not bring it up in a manner that will stress the fish.

Yes... Baking soda raises pH, but...... ???


Also, I'm pretty sure that only lasts for a few hours which would mean a drop in pH, something were trying to avoid.

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f12/help-raising-ph-w-baking-soda-whats-the-ratio-127912.html


http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f15/how-do-i-use-baking-soda-to-raise-ph-levels-111089.html


http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f12/using-baking-soda-to-raise-ph-1165.html

 

[jseiverd]

I use baking soda for my africans for about 6 months i have it down pretty good but it deff differs on how much ya gotta use but it last alot longer than 2 hours more like permanent my ph is 6.5 out of tap and my tank is a consistent 8/8.2

 

[Gordo124]

Yea you'll be fine. Crushed coral is used to help buffer tanks they require high pH like saltwater and some freshwater. It's not coral. It's crushed coral in a media bag that the water for your filter will slowly just run through it and help maintain the proper pH for your tank.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=7322

Where can I get the crushed coral? Petsmart, petco? I can't find the crushed coral in their website.

 

[Convict2161]

Where can I get the crushed coral? Petsmart, petco? I can't find the crushed coral in their website.

Petco, PetSmart both should have it and a plus is they may have the smaller bags. And yes it's on there site.