Ph Emergency

[Duzzy]

Hi there,

I just tested my ph, something i do not do as reguarly and something I have not done since adding co2 last week and upon testing just now I discovered it was very very alkaline at least 7.6, just to confirm i half filled a 20ml vial with tank water and added 3 drops of b.blue (as it says on the bottle) and the result is very alkaline.

We have angels and rummy nose tetras and angels, java ferns, crypts and swords, hornwort and willow moss

Will a ph this alkaline affect things to the detrement to any of these things if so what do i do?

Regards Darren

 

[aaronnorth]

no, tetras and angels prefer softer water around the 7 mark as long as it wasn't a sudden drop, the plants wont mind either,

 

[Duzzy]

Thanks Aaron

 

[lljdma06]

A pH of 7.6 shouldn't bother either your fish or plants, but just out of curiousity, what type of CO2 do you run?

llj

 

[Duzzy]

I am running DIY Co2 2 x 2liter bottles

 

[lljdma06]

I am running DIY Co2 2 x 2liter bottles

What's your recipe?

 

[Duzzy]

Hi there

My recipe per bottle is

2 liter bottle
a 7g satchel of bakers yeast
2 cups of sugar
topped up with water (dechlorinated and warmed to 40 degrees celcius 10cm from the top)

I replace 1 bottle every 2 weeks

 

[SuperColey1]

After reading your previous thread then you are in for algae big style. If you are running DIY CO2 on the 31USG then you don't want 2.5WPG lighting. I would suggest you want to be 1.5WPG max!!!

Echo what the others say r.e. ph

Andy

 

[Duzzy]

Hi Andy would I get a bloom even with a good lot of plants?

 

[lljdma06]

Hi Andy would I get a bloom even with a good lot of plants?

Yep, especially with the 2-2.5 we just endorsed. With the DIY CO2, I wouldn't go beyond 1.5WPG on a 31g. You could even opt for less, and again, still have a great-looking planted tank. Between 1-1.5WPG of T5 lighting will be sufficient for you CO2 levels and lack of stability. Opt for less demanding species and have a look at my signature. The link to "Easy Plant List" has plants that will thrive with this type of lighting and the instability of CO2.

llj

 

[Duzzy]

Thanks llj,

all I really want in a planted tank is a nice collection with contrast in texture and color

Regards Darren

Hi Andy would I get a bloom even with a good lot of plants?

Yep, especially with the 2-2.5 we just endorsed. With the DIY CO2, I wouldn't go beyond 1.5WPG on a 31g. You could even opt for less, and again, still have a great-looking planted tank. Between 1-1.5WPG of T5 lighting will be sufficient for you CO2 levels and lack of stability. Opt for less demanding species and have a look at my signature. The link to "Easy Plant List" has plants that will thrive with this type of lighting and the instability of CO2.

llj