So here's the problem. We have a 40g set up for GBRs and golds. They prefer lower a lower ph value. We have had many deaths in this tank and are seriously considering going for kribs instead. (Research shows they can take higher ph values) We have had our water tested at 3 different LFSs and one factor keeps coming up high, our ph. Everything else tests excellent. Yesterday we went to our 2 favorite LFSs and got 2 different answers with our question of "WTHeck is going on with the ph"????
So here's the background on the tank.
40g breeder: up since June
Heavily planted: swords, crypts, java ferns, spiral val, star grass, hair grass, water wisteria
black onyx sand mixed with activ-flora
3 pieces mopani DW
red and black slate (did a vinegar test, no fizzing)
Fluval 305 with peat and ceramic bio balls
3 air stones
1 female GBR, 7 otos
Water parameters:
Nitrates: between 0 and 5.0
Nitrites:0
Ammonia:0
ph:7.6 (ughhhhhhh!!!!!)
gh:25
kh:40
Tap water: 7.8
For nitrates, nitrites, ammonia and ph I use API master kit, for gh and kh I had to use API test strips since the master kit didn't come with those 2 tests. I know strips are not as reliable, but it's the best I can do for these 2 tests at the moment. Water changes are 25% once a week but thinking about moving that to every other week.
So back to what 1 LFS said about the ph: The black onyx sand is not ph neutral. It can very well be our problem along with the slate.
Second LFS: Black onyx sand is ph neutral and the slate should be fine. What is going on in your tank doesn't make sense. We use the same water supply and don't do anything to adjust for ph.
So my brilliant a$$ thought a moment, turned to my boyfriend and said "We have black onyx sand in the 10g along with black slate and the left over red slate in the 29g, so lets test them when we get home to try and figure out if black onyx sand and the 2 slates are ph neutral."
Here's what the results were:
10g black slate and black onyx sand, no DW, heavily planted, 2 otos, 2 corys, 3 guppies, 5 platys, 1 betta, 8 ghost shrimp, HOB filter rated for 20g. About a year old, substrate change to sand in June, mini-cycle done and over with. Weekly 25% WC
Ammonia:0
Nitrites:0
Nitrates: 0-5.0
ph:6.6
gh:between 0-25
kh:between 40-80
29g red slate, regular pet store gravel, UGF with power head, HOB rated for 30g, heavily planted, no DW, 2 air stones, heavily stocked with many different fish and inverts. Set up for a 1 1/2 years. Weekly 25% WC.
Ammonia:0
Nitrites:0
Nitrates:0-5.0
ph:6.4
Didn't check gh or kh.
So no real proof that the black onyx sand or the slate is the problem. All tanks are filled from the tap using Prime for dechlor. And all plants are dosed with Seachem Flourish.
Any ideas at all? We're so frustrated at this point that as I stated above, we are considering giving up on the rams which we really don't want to do.
We don't want to go with chemicals, RO/DI or CO2.
Also, please keep in mind I'm not a chemist so keep any replies in plain english
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