Ph Help

[execsrch]

Hi All My 50 gallon tank lost the last of its redhooks which werre about 7 or 8 years old.I did a 1/2 water change and put in a new filter. Then I did another partial change and added 6 fish from Petsmart. All the fish died within 3 days. Did another change and added some guppies from another store. Guppies died in less than 2 days. when I checked my pH it was under 6. Can't seem to get it to stabilize. Any ideas or suggestions as to what I should do? Partial change, add buffer add groundup coral? Thanks, Steve

 

[WILDER]

If you added a new filter the tank will be cycling so the ph will be unstable, can you post water stats in ammonia,nitrite,nitrate.

 

[modernhamlet]

If you added a new filter the tank will be cycling so the ph will be unstable, can you post water stats in ammonia,nitrite,nitrate.

I doubt cycling is the problem if you're losing fish in three days.

execsrch, what's your pH out of the tap? What are your current nitrate levels?

 

[execsrch]

If you added a new filter the tank will be cycling so the ph will be unstable, can you post water stats in ammonia,nitrite,nitrate.

Hi Did not add new filter but replaces the carbon filter in my Rena Filstar3. Tap water comes in around 7.3 ;tank pH is under 6. Will get new test kit to measure nitrate and ammonia levels. Next stp ? thanks, steve

 

[modernhamlet]

If you added a new filter the tank will be cycling so the ph will be unstable, can you post water stats in ammonia,nitrite,nitrate.

Hi Did not add new filter but replaces the carbon filter in my Rena Filstar3. Tap water comes in around 7.3 ;tank pH is under 6. Will get new test kit to measure nitrate and ammonia levels. Next stp ? thanks, steve

What you really need is an API master test kit. I'd really like to know your ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and KH readings. KH is a seperate test kit, but well worth it, especially if your KH is low. Low KH can contribute to large pH swings.