Hello! I have had a hard time maintaining my pH. I put baking soda in and get my tank to a place I would like it to be and a few days later it is registering at a 6.0 on my Freshwater Master Test Kit... Help! How do I increase (and then maintain) my pH??
pH Advice
- Thread starter madimoe10
- Start date
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I'm new to this hobby too, but I suggest you invest in the actual ph chemical. I know baking soda increases ph, but it also contains minerals that can be damaging to the fish. Have you tested your tap water for ph? Mine hovers around 7.4 or so, which is within range for freshwater fish.
Put some crushed coral in a media bag and put that in your filter.
charliebankston
Aquarium Advice Addict
That's exactly what I use on my African cichlid tank
charliebankston
Aquarium Advice Addict
Steady ph is much more important than trying to fight and find the ideal ph. Fish will adjust to the waters ph, but constant fluctuations and adjustments cause unnecessary stress on them
charliebankston
Aquarium Advice Addict
You can buy a bag of crushed coral at the pet store pretty cheap, and a fine filter bag for like a buck or 2. Fill it up and lay that in your filter, it'll last for months, and it'll raise your water hardness and ph and you don't have to mess with chemicals and a drastically fluctuating ph
charliebankston
Aquarium Advice Addict
Your ph is really low, discus keepers would love your water, lol
charliebankston
Aquarium Advice Addict
Yeah, it would help a little. Or spread it into and on your substrate. Water flowing thru it is best, but try that for a few days and check your ph again and you'll know
charliebankston
Aquarium Advice Addict
That's a great idea
starfish615
Aquarium Advice Regular
This might start some controversy but I have had good results using seachem neutral regulator 7.0. It’s pretty easy to use but i personally like to dissolve it in aquarium water then add slowly to my water. The bottle says a teaspoon for 10-20 gallons when just starting go with the lower amount and test the change the next day. Once you have it good enough (mine is 6.8) then just use when doing water changes.
charliebankston
Aquarium Advice Addict
I think whatever works for each person is a great idea. I was initially just suggesting that the ph should be left alone, even at 6.0 it's good for most fish outside of rift lake African cichlids
starfish615
Aquarium Advice Regular
Absolutely! I also def agree some chase ph more than they need too. I was mainly just nervous about suggesting the chemical approach as I know a lot disagree but it has worked for me. I also have found my fish seem much happier/healthier in my tank since I’ve gotten it at a consistent 6.8 ish.
charliebankston
Aquarium Advice Addict
Yeah, that's a good number too. I wish my tap water was that soft. Mine comes out about 7.6-7.8 at the best. But all my fish do fine in that, even my wife's discus. They spawn but the eggs never hatch, too hard. But that's OK too, I don't want a bunch of fry.
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