jameslouder
Aquarium Advice Newbie
The pH in my ten-gallon community tank keeps rising and I can't for the life of me figure out why. Left alone the tank becomes very akaline in a very short time. I can gradually lower the pH to the neutral range, but within 24 hours it will be back up around 8.0 and in three days the solution in my test tube will be bright blue.
If I just let the pH go, the fish (some hardy tetras, a giant danio, and a cory) don't seem to mind, but this can't be good. Above all, it's extremely puzzling. Also, I have never been able to get plants to live long in this tank, which I suppose is due to the alkaline conditions.
The aquarium has an Aqua-Clear filter and as nearly as I can tell the biological process inthe filter are working normally (earthy smell when I clean out the foam blockl, nitrite level close to 0). The bottom is normal aquarium substrate:medium fine chips over larger pebbles. I have a few natural rocks as decorations, that's it.
Anybody have any thoughts?
Thanks,
James
If I just let the pH go, the fish (some hardy tetras, a giant danio, and a cory) don't seem to mind, but this can't be good. Above all, it's extremely puzzling. Also, I have never been able to get plants to live long in this tank, which I suppose is due to the alkaline conditions.
The aquarium has an Aqua-Clear filter and as nearly as I can tell the biological process inthe filter are working normally (earthy smell when I clean out the foam blockl, nitrite level close to 0). The bottom is normal aquarium substrate:medium fine chips over larger pebbles. I have a few natural rocks as decorations, that's it.
Anybody have any thoughts?
Thanks,
James