High pH

[conorandlucy]

Hey

We got our Nitrite and Nitrate levels to nothing and the ammonia levels as well. Problem is that our pH is high - 9.5 too alkaline.

Anyone suggest how to bring this down?

 

[jflowers]

First of all, what make of test kit are you using? Unless its an empty tank that you have filled with RO water, then nitrAte should show a reading. That PH sounds unusually high, where do you live? whats the water in your area usually like (ask your lfs)? Have you added any rocks, and if so did you read the pinned topic on aquarium safe rocks? [EDIT: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=55806 ]

Jon

 

[conorandlucy]

using a nutrafin test kit with all 4 tests in it. Im from milton keynes.

No rocks have been added just 4 plants.

 

[jflowers]

Never used those test kits, but heard only good about them. Can we have the tank stats? the more the better.

Jon

 

[Griz]

Test your tap water. Then you will at least know if your pH is rising in the tank or if it's starting out that high. What is your GH and KH? There are lots of ways to lower pH but the harder the water, the more difficult it is to shift it.

 

[conorandlucy]

excuse my ignorance ) what do you mean by GH and KH?

Conor

 

[StarOrbs]

GH is general hardness of the water, and KH is the Carbonate hardness of the water

 

[yhbae]

First thing you should do, is to get a bucket of water from your tap, let it sit over night and measure your pH again (also, KH and GH if your kit can handle them).

9.5 seems really high out of tap water... Most species won't like it, although some of the Lake Tang species might.

Ideally, you don't want to get into the business of messing with the natural pH. Raising Ph (stably) is far easier than lowering it and you don't want it to swing either. Your pH might be ok just after a water change with new chemicals, but a week later, it could be another story...