Adjusting pH Fishless Cycle

[Jayann]

I have noticed that my pH has been raising ever so slightly as I go along in my cycle. I started with my water at a ph of 6.4 so I opted to use the crushed coral in a media bag to get the levels to a more desirable level for the bacteria. My test this evening showed that the pH has reached 8.0. From what I have read, I believe this is starting to go into an undesirable range for my purposes so I am looking for advice on getting it back down. I was thinking of possibly doing a partial water change like maybe 20% so that the pH would lower a bit. Would this be an acceptable method for lowering it? I would like to avoid using products to adjust it and would like to try and get it down naturally. My next question is... if doing a small water change is acceptable, how do I adjust the amount of Seachem Prime that I add? Would it just be 20% (or whatever the percent of water change may be) of whatever the original dosing was for my tank size?

 

[jwh0818]

The cruched coral is calcium. Calcium raises ph. Remove the crushed coral and do a water change of around 30% and it will lower. Yes you add the prime to the ammount of water your adding to your tank. 50g=5ml so adjust accordingly. Whats your tank size?

 

[Jayann]

The cruched coral is calcium. Calcium raises ph. Remove the crushed coral and do a water change of around 30% and it will lower. Yes you add the prime to the ammount of water your adding to your tank. 50g=5ml so adjust accordingly. Whats your tank size?

The tank being cycled is a 10 gallon. I assume at this point, I will be leaving the crushed coral out permanently unless for some strange reason the pH drops below 6.5? Or would I be even safer not letting it drop below 7.0?

 

[jwh0818]

The tank being cycled is a 10 gallon. I assume at this point, I will be leaving the crushed coral out permanently unless for some strange reason the pH drops below 6.5? Or would I be even safer not letting it drop below 7.0?

6.5 is okay. 7.0 is better. Take it completely out and see what happens. If it drops below 7.0 then add a quarter of the coral you have in there now. It will take some messing with to get it right. Just dont add chemical oh buffers

Edit- and your gonna dose .1 mL of prime per gallon of tank water replaced

 

[Jayann]

Thanks so much for the help jwh0818. The prime per gallon conversion was extremely helpful as well. Much appreciated!

 

[Jayann]

I removed the crushed coral and did a 25% water change. The pH temporarily lowered to about 7.6. The next day however it was back up to 8.0 again. I then did a 50% water change and was able to get it down to 7.4. Overnight however, it raised right back up to 8.0. I thought during the fishless cycle that the ammonia would gradually lower the pH? I am now considering adding peat moss to try and keep it down below 8 hopefully to around 7.5 while I cycle. Any idea how much peat moss is needed in a 10 gallon tank?

 

[jwh0818]

I removed the crushed coral and did a 25% water change. The pH temporarily lowered to about 7.6. The next day however it was back up to 8.0 again. I then did a 50% water change and was able to get it down to 7.4. Overnight however, it raised right back up to 8.0. I thought during the fishless cycle that the ammonia would gradually lower the pH? I am now considering adding peat moss to try and keep it down below 8 hopefully to around 7.5 while I cycle. Any idea how much peat moss is needed in a 10 gallon tank?

Just remove all crushed coral

 

[Jayann]

Just remove all crushed coral

I removed all crushed coral prior to initiating the first water change and have not placed it back in since. It was in a media bag and hanging in front of the filter water flow so I do not believe there should be any residual effects from it being that I was able to completely remove all of it, especially after 2 water changes that had no exposure to it. The water being added during the water change actually has a pH of 6.4 so the idea was that alone should have lowered it and it did do so but only very temporarily. I am worried that if it continues to rise as it has been, I will end up stalling my cycle so I was hoping to use the peat moss as a temporary solution to keeping it at a level that is healthy for the fishless cycle.

 

[Jayann]

On another note, we have an extremely reputable pet shop near by and when I went in looking for the peat moss, I assumed I would be looking for a big bag of the stuff, kinda like the big bag of crushed coral. The sales guy who seemed extremely knowledgable did not think they carried it in a large bulk bag but instead suggested I use the Fluval Peat Granules since I would be adding it to the filter in a media bag and thats exactly what the stuff is for. Other things I have read suggested getting a generic bulk peat moss at like home depot.

Are these two things the same thing? The box says recommended for fish that prefer soft acidic water. Although I wont be using this stuff for my end result, simply for maintaining a decent pH during my cycle, is this stuff the same as what I am ultimately looking for?

 

[Rivercats]

I would leave the tank alone and don't worry about the ph unless it rises more which I doubt it will. Peat is a temporary solution to lowering ph and you'll find everytime you do a WC you have to add more which can add up in dollars. If your really that worried and have a 10 gallon tank go get a couple gallons of RO or Distilled water and do a WC using that. As your cycle continues it's common for ph to drop. Right now it's not hurting anything.