pH variation ~help~

Good Wolf · 07-06-2008, 12:07 PM

After putting some drift wood into my 55g the pH dropped down to 6.6. My tap water is 7.8. I'm wondering if it is going to hurt the fish when I do a 20% water change.

If so I can't really afford the bottled water so is there another option?

COM · 07-06-2008, 12:45 PM

Limestone or coral chips will slowly raise and maintain pH. You can float some bags in your filter.

Obsidian · 07-06-2008, 02:56 PM

The Ph in my 10 gallon is 6.8 and my tap is 8.0. I do small (20% or less) water changes and have not had any problems. you just don't want to do big water changes. If it gets really bad and you need to do larger water changes then you can just do a 20% change, then another one a few hours later. That way any Ph changes are happening slowly. I have also tested my Ph 20 minutes after changing the water and it still tests 6.8. So I am not too worried.

emc7 · 07-06-2008, 04:28 PM

One thing to try: let the new water sit for 48 hrs. The pH of the tap water may drop off.

Ob is right that small water changes are no prob., but be careful with the large ones. Maybe do smaller changes more often.

COM · 07-06-2008, 10:43 PM

His pH is dropping because of the driftwood. The way to combat that is to put something in to make it more alkaline. Water changes won't help long term.

Good Wolf · 07-06-2008, 11:28 PM

I actually like the pH were it is at because the Tetra like acidic water. My main concern was drastically changing the pH with a water change.

I did a 20% tonight and check it an hour later. It went from 6.6 to 6.8 so I think I'm all good.

07-06-2008, 12:07 PM	#1
Good Wolf Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Wylie, TX Posts: 238	pH variation ~help~ After putting some drift wood into my 55g the pH dropped down to 6.6. My tap water is 7.8. I'm wondering if it is going to hurt the fish when I do a 20% water change. If so I can't really afford the bottled water so is there another option? __________________ ~Chris~ *55g planted; 30g planted; 5g planted*

07-06-2008, 02:56 PM	#3
Obsidian Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Arizona Age: 37 Posts: 1,058	The Ph in my 10 gallon is 6.8 and my tap is 8.0. I do small (20% or less) water changes and have not had any problems. you just don't want to do big water changes. If it gets really bad and you need to do larger water changes then you can just do a 20% change, then another one a few hours later. That way any Ph changes are happening slowly. I have also tested my Ph 20 minutes after changing the water and it still tests 6.8. So I am not too worried. __________________ Obsidian 20 gallon 1 Dwarf Gourami; 5 Cherry Barbs; 7 Black Neon Tetras; 3 Peppered Cory's; 1 Albino Bristlenose Pleco (Old Blondie) 10 gallon Breaking it down for storage. 5.5 gallon Betta 100 gallon 7 giant danios; 4 Rosy Barbs, 1 German Blue Ram, 7 Julie Cory cats, 2 Burmese Loaches; 4 Zebra Danios

07-06-2008, 11:28 PM	#6
Good Wolf Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Wylie, TX Posts: 238	I actually like the pH were it is at because the Tetra like acidic water. My main concern was drastically changing the pH with a water change. I did a 20% tonight and check it an hour later. It went from 6.6 to 6.8 so I think I'm all good. __________________ ~Chris~ *55g planted; 30g planted; 5g planted*

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07-06-2008, 12:45 PM	#2
COM Rebel Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 753	Limestone or coral chips will slowly raise and maintain pH. You can float some bags in your filter.

07-06-2008, 04:28 PM	#4
emc7 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Johns Creek, GA Posts: 3,624	One thing to try: let the new water sit for 48 hrs. The pH of the tap water may drop off. Ob is right that small water changes are no prob., but be careful with the large ones. Maybe do smaller changes more often.

07-06-2008, 10:43 PM	#5
COM Rebel Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 753	His pH is dropping because of the driftwood. The way to combat that is to put something in to make it more alkaline. Water changes won't help long term.

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