fishandplants
Aquarium Advice Newbie
I posted a couple days ago in the new-commers area, but I cannot get the pH in my tank back up. I hate to be wordy, bit I know you will need the details. Please someone advice! 10 gallon tank started on 12-15 unfortunately, fish in. 3 platys and a guppy girl, all surving and seemingly happy. On 1-20, the tank read Am=0, nitrites 1, and nitrates almost 40 (API master kit),so I thought i was almost there. By 1-28, my pH had dropped from it's normal 6.8ish to a 6.2 and I started reading ammonia again. By the 31st, my amm was spiking 3-4 again, nitrites climbed, and my nitrate readings plummeted. My pre-PWC reading tonight were Amm3, 0 nitrites and nitrates, pH 6 or lower. The only change I have made was to put in an anacharis plant last week of Jan. In the last few days, I have done 2 very large 50-60PWCs, and added some limestone. within 12hours of WC pH falls to 6 again (tap tests at 7.6.) I assume that the pH drop killed my bacteria, but I can't get it to stop falling. Also in the tank, few trumpet snails, 2 mystery snails, 2 species java fern, anacharis, and moneywort. All plants healthy looking. Should I go by Ph up, or is there a better game plan? Baking soda? Help, my tank is going so backwards!