Ketso
Aquarium Advice Freak
This past weekend, I decided to change my substrate from sand to pea gravel from Lowes (hardware store). I like the look sooooo much better but it seems it is causing my gH and kH to climb.
The problem became apparent on Monday, even though I didnt catch it. What happened is that I noticed the pH jump up (I have a DIY Co2 setup running). Seeing the pH jump, I "assumed" one (or more) of my bottles was dying. I counted bubbles and made a new batch in one that seemed a bit off. Yesterday, the pH had risen again and I made a new batch in 2 more bottles and added a new one.
Last night, I ran a full set of tests on the tank (55g) water as the pH wouldnt go down at all and in fact had risen again. This is when I knew that the hardness had jumped wwwaaayyyy up.
I just finished testing my tap water (let it set out all night and day). Usually, it is at 4 dkH, 9 dgH and at a pH of 7.8. Today it measured 3 dkH, 9 dgH and pH of 7.8. Fairly typical.
My tank, on the other hand, has went from the typical 4dkH, 9-11 dgH, and a pH usually around 6.4/6.6 (with co2) to 8 dkH, 19 dgH and pH at 6.8. Last night, it was at 7, 16 and 6.8, respectively.
Could the pea gravel cause the hardness to jump THAT much? I had read on one of the boards, in a discussion over testing rocks, that rocks would only adjust your hardness by a few tenths of a degree so, I am confused on the matter.
Is it the gravel? What can I do to remedy it? Change the gravel again? Any words of wisdom on this will be very helpful.
BTW, No fishies were harmed. None in my tank yet.
The problem became apparent on Monday, even though I didnt catch it. What happened is that I noticed the pH jump up (I have a DIY Co2 setup running). Seeing the pH jump, I "assumed" one (or more) of my bottles was dying. I counted bubbles and made a new batch in one that seemed a bit off. Yesterday, the pH had risen again and I made a new batch in 2 more bottles and added a new one.
Last night, I ran a full set of tests on the tank (55g) water as the pH wouldnt go down at all and in fact had risen again. This is when I knew that the hardness had jumped wwwaaayyyy up.
I just finished testing my tap water (let it set out all night and day). Usually, it is at 4 dkH, 9 dgH and at a pH of 7.8. Today it measured 3 dkH, 9 dgH and pH of 7.8. Fairly typical.
My tank, on the other hand, has went from the typical 4dkH, 9-11 dgH, and a pH usually around 6.4/6.6 (with co2) to 8 dkH, 19 dgH and pH at 6.8. Last night, it was at 7, 16 and 6.8, respectively.
Could the pea gravel cause the hardness to jump THAT much? I had read on one of the boards, in a discussion over testing rocks, that rocks would only adjust your hardness by a few tenths of a degree so, I am confused on the matter.
Is it the gravel? What can I do to remedy it? Change the gravel again? Any words of wisdom on this will be very helpful.
BTW, No fishies were harmed. None in my tank yet.