How can I raise my pH level?

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mandy2936

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Jul 7, 2010
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Hi!

I set up my 20 gallon tank and then went on vacation. While I was away it had been cycling for 10 days. Today I got back and tested the water. I was using strips and I realize that they aren't as accurate but that's all I have for now. (I'll try to get something else soon)

Anyway, my pH tested 6.5-7.0
I'm putting Male Guppies, Neon Tetras, and Julii Cories in the tank.

1. I know that a steady pH is the best pH, but if I'm not mistaken these fish prefer a pH around 7.5?

2. If I don't raise my pH, will my current levels be okay?

3. How can I make sure to keep the pH steady?

Incase it matters, here are my other readings:


Nitrite- around 0
Nitrate- around 0

Total Hardness- 75-150
Total Alkalinity- Ideal (around 180)

Again, these results are vague, but as I said earlier, I'll try to get a more accurate testing kit asap.
It does not test for Ammonia.

Thanks for the help!!

Oh yeah I almost forgot to mention: Just to be clear, there are no fish in the tank yet. I'm doing a fishless cycle.

(Sorry if you've seen this question twice, I had to repost it here as I put it in the Saltwater section by mistake.)
 
Ok, so I'll give it more time, but how do I raise it, is what I have okay, and how do I keep it stable...???
 
There's a few natural ways to raise pH and maintain it. A common characteristic of young tanks is a low, unsteady pH. Basically as CO2 accumulates in water, the pH is lowered. You can raise pH by decreasing the amount of CO2 in your water by doing many things. A couple of these is by simply opening a window and allowing O2 to enter your house. You can help the exchange of gas in your tank by using a HOB filter, an aerator, or a powerhead that will aerate the surface of the water.

You can try plants, too. As plants conduct photosynthesis, CO2 is taken in as a reactant and O2 is released as a product, thus reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the water. Eventually, your paramaters will reach a dynamic equilibrium.
 
Don't worry about raising it. It may go up after your cycle is over. Even if it doesn't, the fish you are wanting would love a lower pH. It is fine where it is. :)

Messing with the pH usually causes more trouble than its worth. ;)
 
I wouldn't mess with the pH either. Steady pH is more important than "correct" pH. Unless you're trying to breed the more difficult species, fish will adapt to most any pH between 6-8, maybe higher, without an issue. My guppies are in 7.0 water and they're breeding like crazy. My panda cories are in the same tank and I have ten or so little pandas now. Neons are amazonian, so they'd prefer the pH right where it is anyways.

Now I see you're doing a fishless cycle. The ammonia may be causing the swings you're seeing. When I did my fishless cycle, I mistakenly added about 8ppm of ammonia. I did a pH test just for kicks and the pH measured a full point higher than normal due to the basic nature of the ammonia.
 
I would kill to have your pH. Don't worry about it. Low pH keeps the door open for more fish than a high pH like mine.
 
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