just added sand

[focus]

i've just the secound re molding my tank i change the gravel for sand and now my PH is 8 when before it was 6.8 all the time
i can't remember i herd some where that sand makes the ph in you water rise is this true i hope not
if so whats the best way of bring it down has i keep loach's in there and i no they like a nice low PH

 

[Lateral Line]

Clean silicate sand is chemically neutral. In fact, it is the same stuff as aquarium gravel, just smaller bits. Where did you get the sand from? You need to be sure the sand you have got is silicate sand as with gravel, some sand's contain Carbonates which will disolve into the water and potentially raise the pH.

 

[focus]

Clean silicate sand is chemically neutral. In fact, it is the same stuff as aquarium gravel, just smaller bits. Where did you get the sand from? You need to be sure the sand you have got is silicate sand as with gravel, some sand's contain Carbonates which will disolve into the water and potentially raise the pH.

got the sand fro my lfs
cleaned as best could but water now turning muccy will this pass

 

[Alien Anna]

Oh no! You haven't been sold coral sand, for African Cichlid tanks, have you? Coral sand is a strong alkaline.

 

[devinf]

Alien Anna beat me to it. But coral sand was my first thought as well. Unfortunately, I do not know what can/should be done.

I'll assume that over time the pH might drop some, or you might want to do more frequent water changes for awhile, or think about using some of the products that are sold to help reduce pH levels.

Then there is the gruesome idea of actually changing your substrate out. Again. *shudder*

Devin

 

[KnuckleHead]

Oh no! You haven't been sold coral sand, for African Cichlid tanks, have you? Coral sand is a strong alkaline.

Took the words right out of my mouth. If this is the case, unfortunatly youll either have to get rid of the loaches and go with african cichlids or redo your whole setup. Playing with the ph to get it just right isnt a good idea, will result in death more then likely . Did you test the water before adding it to your tank? If the water is like it is in my area, the ph fluctuates all the time so I have to test before doing water changes.