This site is supported by the advertisements on it, please disable your AdBlocker so we can continue to provide you with the quality content you expect.
  1. Support us by upgrading to the lifetime advertisement free version.

    Click here for more information.
    Dismiss Notice
  2. We are after as many aquarium plant images that we can get, doing so will assist us in completing the aquarium plant database.

    https://barrreport.com/threads/aquatic-plant-images-wanted.14374/
    Dismiss Notice
Ad Free Version - No more add? Aquarium Plant Images Wanted

pH drop

Discussion in 'Are you new to aquatic plants? Start here' started by vlvtrope, Aug 28, 2008.

  1. vlvtrope

    vlvtrope Junior Poster

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2008
    Messages:
    27
    Likes Received:
    0
    Local Time:
    4:00 PM
    My pH had been hovering around 6.4 during the day. A week after introducing fish, my pH dropped to 5.5 and is the same today. Should I be concerned? All other values (Nitrate, Ammonia, GH = 11, KH = 1, CO2) are fine. There is no distress seen in my fish and the plants are growing like crazy.

    If I wanted to nudge the pH up a little bit, what is the safest way to do that?

    Oh also, I'm thinking of aerating at night like Amano does--any thoughts?
     
    #1 vlvtrope, Aug 28, 2008
  2. ccLansman

    ccLansman Guru Class Expert

    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2008
    Messages:
    375
    Likes Received:
    0
    Local Time:
    4:00 PM
    What sort of test kit are you using? Are you sure its 5.5? It seems that if it was that acidic the fish would die. I would not put anything in that messes with ph other then gh booster as more of a buffer than anything.
     
    #2 ccLansman, Aug 28, 2008
  3. vlvtrope

    vlvtrope Junior Poster

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2008
    Messages:
    27
    Likes Received:
    0
    Local Time:
    4:00 PM
    pH

    I'm very sure as I'm using a laboratory-grade pH meter. My GH is fine so I'm not going to boost that any further.
     
    #3 vlvtrope, Aug 28, 2008
  4. vlvtrope

    vlvtrope Junior Poster

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2008
    Messages:
    27
    Likes Received:
    0
    Local Time:
    4:00 PM
    more

    I just checked it with another pH meter and it definitely 5.5
     
    #4 vlvtrope, Aug 28, 2008
  5. VaughnH

    VaughnH Lifetime Charter Member
    Lifetime Member

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2005
    Messages:
    3,011
    Likes Received:
    94
    Local Time:
    4:00 PM
    PH5.5 is not too low for fish. Adding CO2 will often drop the pH that low. If you have any "drift wood" in the tank you probably have tannins also reducing the pH.
     
    #5 VaughnH, Aug 28, 2008
  6. ccLansman

    ccLansman Guru Class Expert

    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2008
    Messages:
    375
    Likes Received:
    0
    Local Time:
    4:00 PM
    well i must be in the dark, i have never seen my ph go below 6.3ish. Since 5.5 would be compared to black coffee and any lower would be even more acidic how is lower then 5.5 ok? Wouldent that be pushing the limits of killing the fish?
     
    #6 ccLansman, Aug 28, 2008
  7. Carissa

    Carissa Guru Class Expert

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2007
    Messages:
    678
    Likes Received:
    0
    Local Time:
    4:00 PM
    GH booster doesn't buffer anything to my knowledge. It is KH that buffers and has an effect on pH, not GH.
     
    #7 Carissa, Aug 28, 2008
  8. neil1973

    neil1973 Prolific Poster

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2005
    Messages:
    58
    Likes Received:
    0
    Local Time:
    4:00 PM
    Nearly all fish will be fine at ph 5.5. If you want to bring it up a bit then increase your KH a bit (e.g. sodium bicarbonate, calcium carbonate etc.). Changing some water will help remove whatever acids are pushing the ph down.

    regards
    Neil
     
    #8 neil1973, Aug 29, 2008
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Loading...
Similar Threads - drop
  1. Mikymn

    Is The Ph Drop The Best Way To Measure Co2?

    Mikymn, Jan 25, 2021, in forum: CO2 Enrichment
    Replies:
    0
    Views:
    226
    Mikymn
    Jan 25, 2021
  2. onlyplants

    Co2 Won't Drop?

    onlyplants, Dec 19, 2020, in forum: CO2 Enrichment
    Replies:
    7
    Views:
    600
    Richard Jones
    Feb 14, 2021
  3. Kevinb

    Co2 Drop

    Kevinb, Jan 10, 2020, in forum: CO2 Enrichment
    Replies:
    4
    Views:
    566
    Kevinb
    Jan 12, 2020
  4. Mark Baer

    Co2 Rate/ph Drop Noob Question

    Mark Baer, Aug 5, 2019, in forum: CO2 Enrichment
    Replies:
    4
    Views:
    988
    rajkm
    Aug 11, 2019
  5. Gabe Hayes

    Diy 4dkh Dropchecker Solution

    Gabe Hayes, Jul 11, 2019, in forum: CO2 Enrichment
    Replies:
    2
    Views:
    971
    Gabe Hayes
    Jul 12, 2019

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Accept Learn More...
    Dismiss Notice