PH spikes w/ planted aquarium

Mr Fish · 11-01-2005, 08:57 PM

I have a 125 gal tank, moderatly planted. I have one of those little hagen co2 things but it's idealy only suited for up to 20 gallon tanks, I doubt if it does much of anything with my tank. At night when the lights go off, I have a timer to pump air into the tank, 40 gallon pump in a corner.

Do I need to be worried about PH spikes? What can someone do to avoid mass deaths via a drastic drop/rise in PH?

mlefev · 11-01-2005, 09:57 PM

The only thing I know of that controls pH spikes is the kH reading on your test kit. I believe that the higher the kH, the less variation in pH. I'm just not sure of the exact chemistry of how it works, or how injecting O2 or CO2 effects the levels.

MyraVan · 11-02-2005, 03:20 AM

Just measure the pH when you go to bed, and just before the lights come on in the morning. Since your tank is only moderatly planted, I doubt you'll see much if any difference. Especially if your water is moderately hard to hard.

Unless you're adding lots of CO2 (which you aren't) the potential major problem is lack of oxygen at night because the plants and animals are both using it up, and your air pump is preventing. I rally don't think you have anything to worry about.

11-01-2005, 08:57 PM	#1
Mr Fish Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Age: 36 Posts: 128	PH spikes w/ planted aquarium I have a 125 gal tank, moderatly planted. I have one of those little hagen co2 things but it's idealy only suited for up to 20 gallon tanks, I doubt if it does much of anything with my tank. At night when the lights go off, I have a timer to pump air into the tank, 40 gallon pump in a corner. Do I need to be worried about PH spikes? What can someone do to avoid mass deaths via a drastic drop/rise in PH? __________________ FISH FOR LIFE

11-01-2005, 09:57 PM	#2
mlefev Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: California Age: 26 Posts: 817	The only thing I know of that controls pH spikes is the kH reading on your test kit. I believe that the higher the kH, the less variation in pH. I'm just not sure of the exact chemistry of how it works, or how injecting O2 or CO2 effects the levels. __________________ Well rounded fun and discussions available at Lots of Fun 10 gal 3 zebra danios 2 solid orange platies 1 clown pleco Too many stinking pond snails to count...miserable things.

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11-02-2005, 03:20 AM	#3
MyraVan Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 864	Just measure the pH when you go to bed, and just before the lights come on in the morning. Since your tank is only moderatly planted, I doubt you'll see much if any difference. Especially if your water is moderately hard to hard. Unless you're adding lots of CO2 (which you aren't) the potential major problem is lack of oxygen at night because the plants and animals are both using it up, and your air pump is preventing. I rally don't think you have anything to worry about.

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