What causes pH to change? - Aquarium Advice

noncentric · 06-07-2006, 02:48 AM

I'm trying to get a list of the different things that cause the pH of freshwater tanks to change. Things other than chemicals - like pH up and pH down.

What types of things cause pH to rise?
- crushed coral in filter
- ???

What types of things cause pH to drop?
- CO2 injection
- peat moss in filter
- ???

Thanks.

Lonewolfblue · 06-07-2006, 03:47 AM

ph to rise:
crushed coral, limestone, baking soda, and others.

ph to lower:
peat, driftwood, CO2, and a few others.

06-07-2006, 05:12 AM

Co2 will cause the biggest drop in PH. Now remenber with Co2 once the Co2 starts running out the PH level will start to raise back up. Now driftwood will cause the next biggest drop in PH level usaully around 1.5 to 2.0ppm depending on the size of the peice of wood the more it will drop. But I'm not sure on what the total amount the PH will drop with a larger peice in the tank. I have a singel peice 24'' long and about 10 to 12 '' around in my 75gal and it drops the PH 3.5ppm and as long as the driftwood is in the tank the PH level will stay there.Til you cjanges the water and it has to start over droping it. LOL

**Fishyfanatic** · 06-07-2006, 09:37 AM

I haven't noticed a change at all with the driftwood in regards to pH. Peat will cause a major drop. I had it drop about 1.8 in a matter of 45 minutes. It may have dropped below that by the test kit only went to 6.0.

toddnbecka · 06-07-2006, 01:52 PM

Any type of limestone rocks will cause pH to rise, same as crushed coral, seashells, etc.

Biological activity will cause pH to drop over time, if there's nothing to buffer the water. Even if the water is hard/alkaline to begin with, the buffering compounds will break down, and pH will drop. Once it becomes established at a lower value, it will maintain it even with water changes, if not done often enough.

tropicfishman · 06-07-2006, 02:55 PM

driftwood lowers the PH very slowly,. its almost unnoticable

DepotFish · 06-07-2006, 03:16 PM

Almonds and almond leaves, and many other leaves will cause the ph to drop. It only took one almond with shell to drop my 2.5 gallon from 7.8 to 7.2 for my betta.

F-18 TECH · 06-07-2006, 03:58 PM

I have had great success with the use of house hold acids. i.e. vinegar, which must be distilled white, as well using orange peal slices in the storage water under a neutral rock, like shale. Then add the water from the storage container to the tank during water changes. As well Reverse Osmosis water also lowers ph by decreasing the buffering ability of your current tap water. Just google lower ph in water and all of these methods and more will show up. I think there was 6 million hits

good luck!

06-07-2006, 02:48 AM	#1
noncentric Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Western WA Posts: 115	What causes pH to change? I'm trying to get a list of the different things that cause the pH of freshwater tanks to change. Things other than chemicals - like pH up and pH down. What types of things cause pH to rise? - crushed coral in filter - ??? What types of things cause pH to drop? - CO2 injection - peat moss in filter - ??? Thanks. __________________ 25g Marineland Eclipse (30w T-8 ): - java ferns, anacharis, corkscrew vals, giant hygros, marimo balls, java moss - zebra danios (5), otos (2), others TBD 6g Marineland Eclipse (8w T-5): - anacharis, asian ambulia, java moss - white cloud mountain minnows (10 = 6-7 inches total)

06-07-2006, 03:47 AM	#2
Lonewolfblue Planted Geek Community Mentor Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Wenatchee, WA Posts: 7,871 Images: 7	ph to rise: crushed coral, limestone, baking soda, and others. ph to lower: peat, driftwood, CO2, and a few others. __________________ 26G Medium Planted Community - 65W CF Lighting - Emperor 280 Bio-Wheel - Established Feb 2004 55G Aggressive Community - Filstar XP3 - Established Dec 2005 75G Heavily Planted - Pressurized CO2, 520W Lighting, Filstar XP3 with spraybar - Established Feb 2006 29G Planted - 130W Lighting, Filstar XP2 with spraybar - Established May 2006 5 10G Tanks - Various setups - Tanks Established May-Sep 2006. 3 currently empty. 5.5G Crypt/Java Fern Tank - Established Oct 2006 My 29G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=78469 My 75G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=70764 My 75G Makeover Thread: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=87691

06-07-2006, 09:37 AM	#4
Fishyfanatic Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 10,303 Images: 15	I haven't noticed a change at all with the driftwood in regards to pH. Peat will cause a major drop. I had it drop about 1.8 in a matter of 45 minutes. It may have dropped below that by the test kit only went to 6.0. __________________ Vote for Aquarium Advice 10 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 29 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 150 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid

06-07-2006, 02:55 PM	#6
tropicfishman Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ashland KY Posts: 1,890	driftwood lowers the PH very slowly,. its almost unnoticable __________________ I love my clown loaches and red tail shark!!! lol

06-07-2006, 03:16 PM	#7
DepotFish Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 871 Images: 4	Almonds and almond leaves, and many other leaves will cause the ph to drop. It only took one almond with shell to drop my 2.5 gallon from 7.8 to 7.2 for my betta. __________________ Anybody who's seen the personality of fish has had their minds and hearts opened to a whole new world.

06-07-2006, 05:12 AM	#3
Guest Posts: n/a	Co2 will cause the biggest drop in PH. Now remenber with Co2 once the Co2 starts running out the PH level will start to raise back up. Now driftwood will cause the next biggest drop in PH level usaully around 1.5 to 2.0ppm depending on the size of the peice of wood the more it will drop. But I'm not sure on what the total amount the PH will drop with a larger peice in the tank. I have a singel peice 24'' long and about 10 to 12 '' around in my 75gal and it drops the PH 3.5ppm and as long as the driftwood is in the tank the PH level will stay there.Til you cjanges the water and it has to start over droping it. LOL

06-07-2006, 01:52 PM	#5
toddnbecka Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Cumberland, MD Posts: 750	Any type of limestone rocks will cause pH to rise, same as crushed coral, seashells, etc. Biological activity will cause pH to drop over time, if there's nothing to buffer the water. Even if the water is hard/alkaline to begin with, the buffering compounds will break down, and pH will drop. Once it becomes established at a lower value, it will maintain it even with water changes, if not done often enough.

06-07-2006, 03:58 PM	#8
F-18 TECH Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 72 Images: 2	I have had great success with the use of house hold acids. i.e. vinegar, which must be distilled white, as well using orange peal slices in the storage water under a neutral rock, like shale. Then add the water from the storage container to the tank during water changes. As well Reverse Osmosis water also lowers ph by decreasing the buffering ability of your current tap water. Just google lower ph in water and all of these methods and more will show up. I think there was 6 million hits good luck!

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
All change...	2cvbloke	Freshwater & Brackish - General Discussion	21	09-22-2007 10:47 AM
To water change or not to water change. that is the question	Andari	Saltwater & Reef - Getting Started	14	01-05-2007 05:38 PM
ph change	hockeydude15	Freshwater & Brackish - General Discussion	3	05-26-2004 11:15 PM
When should I do my 1st water change? And water change ?	stew	Freshwater & Brackish - General Discussion	11	10-11-2003 02:36 PM