My Experience Of Using Leaf Litter And Alder Cones

[Akasha72]

Speaking of pH...
I have insanely hard water (like 250-300 ppm), and a few days ago tested again to check chlorine and nitrite. What I found: pH had risen from 7.1 to 7.8, and I have no idea what caused it. I figured it was probably fine, but with what you said... now I must check again.

EDIT- checked again, and it's at 8. I have no earthly idea what happened, as I didn't add ANYTHING new except 2 fish.

 
what type of test are you using? Is it a dip strip or a liquid drop test?
@ Eagles ... I have three 6 - 7 week old cory fry and load more eggs that were laid yesterday! With the cories spawning this regular it would be really difficult to do what you suggest 

 

[HarpyFishLover]

It's the strips, because I can't afford the drop test... I promise, as soon as I can afford it, I'll get the drop tests!

 

[Akasha72]

It's the strips, because I can't afford the drop test... I promise, as soon as I can afford it, I'll get the drop tests!

 
They are really inaccurate - this is why you are getting differing readings

 

[eaglesaquarium]

@ Eagles ... I have three 6 - 7 week old cory fry and load more eggs that were laid yesterday! With the cories spawning this regular it would be really difficult to do what you suggest 

 
That's what I figured... that's why I also suggested using the main tank water as your source for water changes on the fry tank and doing very frequent water changes.  That would keep your values in there much more consistent, and provide some nice buffering without worrying about the pH going up... because you wouldn't be adding the crushed coral... only the dissolved calcium carbonate from the main tank.