Ac30fan
Aquarium Advice Activist
Brand new 29gal tank. I've only added Seachem Stability & API Stresscoat (for seeding biofilter / chlorine removal). I don't have any fish in the tank yet. I'm reading up on fishless cycling.... Yikes
Tap water from faucet consistently tests at 7.6 pH / Tank reading is 8.4 (ammonia, nitrate & nitrite readings seem normal, but I'm just starting the cycle). Again, yikes.
To my knowledge, there is nothing in my tank that would elevate the pH (such as the gravel). All decor is artificial.
I read somewhere that my air stone could be pulling C02 out of the water, thus raising pH. Any truth to this? I never relied on air stones before, but that was back in the day when I relied on under gravel filtration & power heads to disrupt the water for proper oxygenation.
Anyway, 8.4 seems higher than what I've seen is desirable. But I also read that maintaining steady pH is prob more important than consistently higher readings. I'd rather not use chemicals to combat water condition issues, so I plan to turn off air stone, and take more readings - but I welcome input from anyone & everyone.
Cheers,
B
Tap water from faucet consistently tests at 7.6 pH / Tank reading is 8.4 (ammonia, nitrate & nitrite readings seem normal, but I'm just starting the cycle). Again, yikes.
To my knowledge, there is nothing in my tank that would elevate the pH (such as the gravel). All decor is artificial.
I read somewhere that my air stone could be pulling C02 out of the water, thus raising pH. Any truth to this? I never relied on air stones before, but that was back in the day when I relied on under gravel filtration & power heads to disrupt the water for proper oxygenation.
Anyway, 8.4 seems higher than what I've seen is desirable. But I also read that maintaining steady pH is prob more important than consistently higher readings. I'd rather not use chemicals to combat water condition issues, so I plan to turn off air stone, and take more readings - but I welcome input from anyone & everyone.
Cheers,
B