Nitrate rise, everything else if fine???

[paulthegreat]

As long as the pH is steady it is not going to be a big problem, use the same brand and type of test kit every time to have a steady reference. 5.5-8.5 is an exceptable range as long as it is stable(ie 7.2, 7.1, 7.2 7.3, 7.1, 7.1. 7.2 over the period of several weeks). Coral and coral sand will raise your pH and roots or drift wood will lower it. Also use the same ph kit to test your water after treatment and before pouring it in the tank. This does not need to be done every time but do it once or twice just to give yourself a reference. I personally check my ph only about once every three months if nothing has gone wrong.

 

[rdd1952]

Also use the same ph kit to test your water after treatment and before pouring it in the tank. This does not need to be done every time but do it once or twice just to give yourself a reference. I personally check my ph only about once every three months if nothing has gone wrong.

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I am to the point where I only check ammonia, nitrite, or pH every month or 2 or when something doesn't look right. I agree it is a good idea to test sometimes before water changes. It is also very important to test pH when adding new fish. Test both the bag water that the fish is in and also the water in the tank he will be going in. I have found that some LFS near me have water that is significantly different from my tank water. Takes a lot of time to acclimate new fish without sending them into pH shock.

 

[paulthegreat]

A bigger tank should suffer a lot less from pH changes even from adding a small amount with the introduction of a new fish with LFS water. even with a 20gal the difference will be only nominal and should soon stabilize.

 

[femmeartist51]

Hi Paul
I have personally used coral (crushed) before. It works great so does baking soda. I have used both when our PH went very very low. It did raise the ph up really fast. Thanks for the info though Lynda

 

[femmeartist51]

[/quote]
I. It is also very important to test pH when adding new fish. Test both the bag water that the fish is in and also the water in the tank he will be going in.

Hey great idea. I had thought of that, I had lost a few fish in a few days after putting them in the tank. Maybe it is the difference between the water from the pet store and my water. I have stopped testing alot. I use to do it way too often. It was getting to be such a pain in the ....
Thanks, Lynda

 

[femmeartist51]

A bigger tank should suffer a lot less from pH changes


We do have a 55 gallon tank. But are really trying to find a larger one. We do not suffer a ph shift, unless we change out water. Our well water is very soft. One can't do a thing with their hair around here LOL. Really though our tap water is 6.8. That is why I learned about how to raise the ph when we need to. I have tried to keep it around 7.0 to 7.6. At times it has risen to 7.8. But it usually stays put. We always had zero nitrates then it went to 30 and stayed there. Now it was way up and now down to 80. The KH was 6.0 or lower. Put in 3 drops to the vial. If I read it correctly that is 6.0. Well thanks for the input. Some great info on this site.
Lynda

 

[rdd1952]

A bigger tank should suffer a lot less from pH changes even from adding a small amount with the introduction of a new fish with LFS water. even with a 20gal the difference will be only nominal and should soon stabilize.

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It's actually not how the LFS water changes the tank water. As you say, that will be minimal. The problem is the difference in pH the fish are about to be exposed to. I first realized this when I bought my angels and brought them home, the water in the bag was below 6.0 pH, the lowest reading on my kit (API). My tank was at 6.8 to 7.0 so just acclimating to the temperature and turning them loose would have been a disaster.

I spent 3 hours adding 6 to 8 oz of tank water to the bag every 10 minutes. When the bag got full, I poured out about half of it and started adding again. The LFS pH was so low that I had added about 30 to 40 oz of water to the bag before the pH in the bag ever moved about 6.0. Since I didn't get home with them till about 9:30 at night, after about 3 hours (12:30 AM) I had the bag pH up to about 6.6 so I turned them loose in the tank. The time spent worked well though as that was 4 months ago and my angels are growing and doing great.

 

[femmeartist51]

Hi rdd
I will have to do that, test the pet stores water in the bag before I put the fish in the water. I have lost, as I said, fish within a few days. I thought someone in the tank destroyed them because their eyes where missing or their tails. Lost a beautiful red oscar to someone, or the ph factor. thanks for the info.

Lynda

 

[pnyklr3]

That is also what you should do if you ever buy fish online and have them shipped. Usually, the lfs pH will be the local pH and you shouldn't have a problem if you are also using the local tap water.

 

[femmeartist51]

That is also what you should do if you ever buy fish online

Thanks, sometimes one doesn't think of that issue. PH from stores. I never buy fish online. I am afraid of them being so stressed out. I had thought of buying some koi, but then I can find them locally. Thanks again, Lynda