recycling 10 gal. PH crash

[wildroseofky]

I set up my 10 gallon again and I am having to recycle it. I had the filter running in a 29 gallon cycled tank but when I switched it back to the 10 gallon the tank didn't stay cycled. I am now having to do a fishless cycle. Right now I am going through the Nitrite phase. My Ph has crashed big time. I did two pwc and no help. I added crushed clam shells, waited a few hours and checked ph. It didn't raise. I picked up some limestone gravel and added a handful to tank and some to filter waited a few hours and got only a little rise in PH. I gave up and added a little baking soda and got the PH up to 7.4. I cannot find coral anywhere within 35 miles of me. Any ideas why I cannot get the PH to stay up? Tank has Ludwigia and money wort in it. Hoping to get it cycled quick to put some molly fry in.

 

[phishfriend]

Your lfs should carry crush coral gravel for salt water tanks.

 

[wildroseofky]

I went to the only pet store in my area. It is a small time place without a lot of
choices. All she had was bottled PH adjuster. I wasn't sure about using it. Plus it was $10 for a small bottle seemed really high. I had to give $10 for a bottle of cheapo chlorine remover. Stuff I can get at a Walmart for a little over $3. I should have ordered some from Dr. Fosters and Smith when I placed my pet supply order this week but it wasn't a problem then. The water company has done something to our water supply again and the ph is way down right out of the tap.

 

[JZS]

Same for me, ph is now 6.4 with numerous water changes. These did not help.

 

[phishfriend]

Thats a bummer!! you could try the buffers. I really don't like to use them but if it's the only thing available....... I would order the smallest bag of crushed coral you can find online. I know it seems crazy but even the coral you use in your tank will have to be replaced every few months. So having a ten or twenty lb bag handy isn't all that crazy