Increasing pH without chemicals.

HollywoodBob · 01-20-2005, 11:13 PM

My water comes out of the tap at less than 6.0, not sure how low, my test kit only goes down to 6.0.

Is there an safe way to increase the pH without using chemicals? I don't like dosing my tank, unless absolutely neccessary.

-HollywoodBob

scuba_steve · 01-21-2005, 01:50 AM

sure, argonite (crushed coral) as the substrate, or inside of the filters
limestone
eco complete substrate
shells
pieces of coral
a variety of other types of buffering substrates and rocks

dont know if you consider baking soda a chemical, but it raises ph to 8 very nicely, if you overdose it wont go higher than 8.5, very fish safe btw.

DavidDoyle · 01-21-2005, 08:37 AM

How certain are you about the tap pH? Often there are discolved gasses in tap water that effect the Ph until they are out-gassed. I suggest you do the following test to verify the pH. Fill a large glass with tap water. Put an airstone in the glass and let it bubble for an hour, then test the pH of the water in the glass. This will insure you are getting an accurate reading.

**Damon** · 01-21-2005, 09:37 AM

Eco complete will not raise the PH of your water. It will buffer it though. That only last for about 4 months IME also. The crushed coral is the safest way but its hard to determine how much you will need to bring it to the range you want.

scuba_steve · 01-21-2005, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simpte @ Fri Jan 21, 2005 10:37 am

The crushed coral is the safest way but its hard to determine how much you will need to bring it to the range you want.

plus it will cloud up some everytime your fish, or anything else touches it :P go ahead try to clean it till the wash water stays clear!

HollywoodBob · 01-21-2005, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidDoyle @ Fri Jan 21, 2005 7:37 am

How certain are you about the tap pH? Often there are discolved gasses in tap water that effect the Ph until they are out-gassed. I suggest you do the following test to verify the pH. Fill a large glass with tap water. Put an airstone in the glass and let it bubble for an hour, then test the pH of the water in the glass. This will insure you are getting an accurate reading.

Well the water in my tap is at 6.0, and the water in my tank is at 6.2 after several days, so I wouldn't think I'm that far off.

Scuba Steve said I could add baking soda, but 8.0/8.5 seems a bit high. I've only got goldfish, but shouldn't they be between 6.5 and 7.5?

How much baking soda would be good for a 10 gallon, and would it last long enough to get a decoration/substrate that would help?

-HollywoodBob

**Damon** · 01-21-2005, 12:14 PM

Baking soda will raise your TDS and KH, not your PH

http://www.drhelm.com/aquarium/chemistry.html
I think this page should be required reading when adjusting water chemistry.

Lisas_lair · 01-21-2005, 01:23 PM

If you put a piece of marble or limestone into your tank as a decoration, the pH will rise as the rock/s slowly dissolve. With a pH of 6.0 or lower coming out of your tap it's a wonder you're not having problems with the pipes bringing the water to the house too. All local water companies I have ever heard of, try and get the water around 7.0 pH to avoid problems within the pipes.

Ken

Frop · 01-21-2005, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scuba_steve @ Fri Jan 21, 2005 3:50 am

sure, argonite (crushed coral) as the substrate, or inside of the filters
limestone
eco complete substrate
shells
pieces of coral
a variety of other types of buffering substrates and rocks

dont know if you consider baking soda a chemical, but it raises ph to 8 very nicely, if you overdose it wont go higher than 8.5, very fish safe btw.

How much Baking Soda are we talking here??

1 tea spoon, 2 tea spoons etc..??

Frop · 01-22-2005, 12:43 PM

Does anyone know the answer to my question

Lisachromis · 01-22-2005, 12:45 PM

I believe you'd need the exact readings of your water to know your answer first Frop.

Frop · 01-22-2005, 12:59 PM

Okay, Thanks alot.
I shall do that then.

**Damon** · 01-22-2005, 01:39 PM

Baking Soda will NOT increase your PH. Just your KH.

Frop · 01-24-2005, 01:22 AM

KH??

**Damon** · 01-24-2005, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simpte @ Fri Jan 21, 2005 2:14 pm

Baking soda will raise your TDS and KH, not your PH

http://www.drhelm.com/aquarium/chemistry.html
I think this page should be required reading when adjusting water chemistry.

01-20-2005, 11:13 PM	#1
HollywoodBob Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 32 User Feedback: (0)	Increasing pH without chemicals. My water comes out of the tap at less than 6.0, not sure how low, my test kit only goes down to 6.0. Is there an safe way to increase the pH without using chemicals? I don't like dosing my tank, unless absolutely neccessary. -HollywoodBob

01-21-2005, 01:50 AM	#2
scuba_steve Fishy Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 21 User Feedback: (0)	Re: Increasing pH without chemicals. sure, argonite (crushed coral) as the substrate, or inside of the filters limestone eco complete substrate shells pieces of coral a variety of other types of buffering substrates and rocks dont know if you consider baking soda a chemical, but it raises ph to 8 very nicely, if you overdose it wont go higher than 8.5, very fish safe btw.

01-21-2005, 08:37 AM	#3
DavidDoyle Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Age: 89 Posts: 497 User Feedback: (0)	Re: Increasing pH without chemicals. How certain are you about the tap pH? Often there are discolved gasses in tap water that effect the Ph until they are out-gassed. I suggest you do the following test to verify the pH. Fill a large glass with tap water. Put an airstone in the glass and let it bubble for an hour, then test the pH of the water in the glass. This will insure you are getting an accurate reading.

01-21-2005, 09:37 AM	#4
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982 User Feedback: (0)	Re: Increasing pH without chemicals. Eco complete will not raise the PH of your water. It will buffer it though. That only last for about 4 months IME also. The crushed coral is the safest way but its hard to determine how much you will need to bring it to the range you want. __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

01-21-2005, 12:14 PM	#7
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982 User Feedback: (0)	Re: Increasing pH without chemicals. Baking soda will raise your TDS and KH, not your PH http://www.drhelm.com/aquarium/chemistry.html I think this page should be required reading when adjusting water chemistry. __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

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01-21-2005, 01:23 PM	#8
Lisas_lair Fishy Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Chatham, Ontario Posts: 10 User Feedback: (0)	Re: Increasing pH without chemicals. If you put a piece of marble or limestone into your tank as a decoration, the pH will rise as the rock/s slowly dissolve. With a pH of 6.0 or lower coming out of your tap it's a wonder you're not having problems with the pipes bringing the water to the house too. All local water companies I have ever heard of, try and get the water around 7.0 pH to avoid problems within the pipes. Ken

01-22-2005, 12:43 PM	#10
Frop Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Welland,Ontario,Canada Posts: 40 User Feedback: (0)	Re: Increasing pH without chemicals. Does anyone know the answer to my question

01-22-2005, 12:45 PM	#11
Lisachromis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 280 User Feedback: (0)	Re: Increasing pH without chemicals. I believe you'd need the exact readings of your water to know your answer first Frop. __________________ Lisa's Lair Cichlid Room Companion

01-22-2005, 12:59 PM	#12
Frop Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Welland,Ontario,Canada Posts: 40 User Feedback: (0)	Re: Increasing pH without chemicals. Okay, Thanks alot. I shall do that then.

01-22-2005, 01:39 PM	#13
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982 User Feedback: (0)	Re: Increasing pH without chemicals. Baking Soda will NOT increase your PH. Just your KH. __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

01-24-2005, 01:22 AM	#14
Frop Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Welland,Ontario,Canada Posts: 40 User Feedback: (0)	Re: Increasing pH without chemicals. KH??

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