Ph crash

[Harryhorse]

What would make my ph low.tap is 7 an in my tank it drops to 6 Ammo 0 nitrite 0 nitrate 5.0 the fish seem fine,my other tanks ph 7.2

 

[Lowryder]

Do you have anything in thaat tank that would lower your ph, such as certain types of rocks?

 

[Hholly]

I think driftwood can lower pH.

 

[Lowryder]

yes driftwood will lower your ph. it has to do with the tannic acid that it releases.

 

[Alyxx]

Did you let your tap water gas out for 24 hours before testing it? Put some in a cup or bucket, with an airstone in it if you have a spare air pump, and let it sit for 24 hours to let the buffers added by the water plant to evaporate out. Then you will find the actual pH as it will be in your aquarium. If it is still higher than the pH of your tank, something in your tank is causing the drop. Also if the pH is naturally low, something in your other tank is buffering the pH up. Isn't science fun?

 

[Harryhorse]

Thanks all there is no wood in tank.I will do the water in the bucket for 24 and c how I go.u would think I would have it down pat now with 7 tanks in the house lol

 

[Alyxx]

Is there anything in your other tanks that isn't in this one? A certain type of rock, substrate, or decoration?

 

[Harryhorse]

Is there anything in your other tanks that isn't in this one? A certain type of rock, substrate, or decoration?

I have drift wood in to off them and sandstone in one but the other 3 just ornaments.all the same substrate

 

[Alyxx]

Hmm, I'd think the tanks with wood would have a lower pH... It's mystery.

 

[Hholly]

I think I read that the nitrifying bacteria that eat nitrates (or trites?) produce acid which is why pH crashes during fishless cycling in some tanks. So, if your water starts out neutral, if you have a certain amount of stock, it may be too much acid produced and it overcomes what few buffers your water has. So maybe adding limestone rock or crushed coral may help prevent it.

 

[Harryhorse]

I think I read that the nitrifying bacteria that eat nitrates (or trites?) produce acid which is why pH crashes during fishless cycling in some tanks. So, if your water starts out neutral, if you have a certain amount of stock, it may be too much acid produced and it overcomes what few buffers your water has. So maybe adding limestone rock or crushed coral may help prevent it.

Cool thx will give it a go

 

[aqua_chem]

Or you could do water changes to restore your water's buffers, and then redose to 4 ppm ammonia.

 

[Hholly]

Or you could do water changes to restore your water's buffers, and then redose to 4 ppm ammonia.

I think he's already got fish in this tank.

 

[Harryhorse]

I think he's already got fish in this tank.

Yer it's about 6mths old.I am cycling to other tanks at the moment lol