Alkalinity and pH advice

[thomas]

I have 2 big tanks and 1 small one. I did a general hardness and alkalinity test on the water on one of the bigger tanks.

The general hardness is rather high (above 200ppm maybe?) and the alkalinity is extreamly low.

I have read this means the pH can be unstable, it is currently at a pH of 6ish and has been for a while. I would rather not tinker with the tank as the fish have been fine in it for a long time. (Despite a recent nitrite problem).

There will be no fish going in or out of that tank and no knew items being added. Is it a good idea to try and raise the alkalinity?

Right now I would think no, but would like some advice. I think all the tanks here roughly the same like that (no real fish changes, low alkalinity, high gh, low ph 6ish) I intend to take precautions to keep the pH of water changes also around 6.

What do you think I should do?

EDIT: By the way, these are all established tanks.

 

[Jaded_Pulse]

Personally, I don't like the idea of messing with pH or anything - esp. when using chemicals, changing the pH often stresses the fish out more than anything. If it's an established tank & everyone's happy & healthy enough, I wouldn't mess with it. Generally, fish can adapt to pH/hardness (to a certain extent), so just keep an eye on them & do it very VERY slowly if you find you do need to change it.

HTH, goodluck

 

[thomas]

I don't need to change the pH, I am talking about the alkalinity, preventing the pH from being changed by accident.

 

[Jaded_Pulse]

Hmmmm.....ok, sorry about that - I'm under the (probably wrong) impression that pH & alkalinity are different types of measures of basically the same thing - where pH measures the amount of hydrogen ions in the water (many means it's acidic, few means it's alkaline), I believe alkalinity tests the amount of hydroxide ions in the water (many means it's alkaline, few means it's acidic). I believe that hardness (the amount of metal ions in the water) can influence pH, though again definitely don't take this as correct, because I've only ever had to deal with pH. Hopefully somebody else will be along soon to clarify this.

Sorry about the mix up, goodluck with it all

 

[CFC]

Leave the pH and hardness alone, as the old adage says "if it aint broke dont fix it". Playing about with water chemistry unless you really know exctly what you are doing can be disasterous. Unless you are actually having pH swings then there is nothing to worry about, if you are getting pH swings then adding a small bag of crushd coral to the filter will stabilise it.

 

[silver]

Yes, or you could add a bad of crushed coral to your substrate and after a couple of weeks check your alkalinity and see if it has raised a bit!!
This is a natural way of doing so.......just like bogwood lowers your PH!

I actually think you should raise it a tad if it is EXTREMELY low like you say....but do it naturally and slowly!!

 

[gixer]

adding some sea shells is another option. looks great and natural and WILL increase your KH.
i would deffinatly do this..i know the general opinion on here is to leave ph etc alone but its really not that difficult.and you do need it..just my opinion.

certain rocks as ornaments wil also help and look good

 

[Bol]

Depends what "extremely low" means.

 

[thomas]

The test showed it at like 1kh or something. I forget exactly I did it yesterday.