PH Level

[richgonfishn]

I'm new to this stuff and would like to ask for some help. I cannot seem to get the PH Level below 7.6 or so. The tank is clear and looks well, but I'm a little concerned with the PH. I have approx 10-12 fish in a 20 gallon tank. I'd list the types, but the spelling is tricky. The product I'm trying is made by Jungle. It's a liquid pH Decreaser. I'm afraid to too much.

Thank you,
Rich

 

[Zorba]

I have just gone thru this.

After speaking with my LFS, she gave me a few things to check. If you have any concrete type ornaments, this could be keeping the pH levels up.

Also if you have marble in your gravel.

The way to test it is to take a small amount of gravel from your tank, and put it in a bowl and pour brown vinegar over it. If it fizzes or bubbles, it means that there is marble in the tank.

If this is the case, you will need to replace the gravel, or remove the offending ornament. In my case it was the limestone rock that the previous owner used cos he couldnt get the pH up.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi richgonfishn

What kind of fish do you have?

Unless you have fish that are especially sensitive, it is almost always better to leave this alone. Changing it and keeping it changed are often a constant battle and the fish are stressed with each adjustment.

If you are having problems, it would be better to look at other reasons for them first.

 

[CFC]

Firstly what fish are you keeping? Unless you are keeping delicate or wild caught fish from areas with acidic water then a pH of 7.6 is fine.

Messing about with the chemistry of your water is far more likely to kill your fish than a pH of 7.6 will, unstable water parameters cause stress which leads to disease outbreaks and premature deaths. You also need to have a good working knowledge of water chemistry and understand the relationships between KH, GH and pH before even attempting to alter anything, water with a high KH will just correct its self back to its original pH value over time no matter how much pH correcting chemical you use as the natural pH buffers are strong.
My advise is to leave your pH well alone and concentrate on keeping the more important parameters of ammonia nitrite and nitrate where they should be, these are a far more important issue than pH ever will be.

 

[HeatherSweetness]

I used peat pellets and my water stays at a steady neutral. I had alot of help/advice from people with blackwater tanks,tho. I also have some blackwater extract. Peat works pretty dang good.

 

[richgonfishn]

Thank you for the info. I don't have any concrete ornament or marble gravel. The tank was just completely redone this past Saturday. The bought the tank not knowing that much about anything other than goldfish. Their sooo easy... feed em every once in awhile and their fine. LOL

I have pair of 3-4 varieties of Gouramis. I have a catfish that swims and eats upside down. I have a larger fish that keeps my tank clean. I tried a catfish that think was called a pictus cat, but it didn't make it home from the pet store. It's silver with black dots all over it.

I'm not sure if I even setup the tank correctly. I was told to get plastic pieces that go at the bottom of the tank. I have two tubes in each corner that produces allot of bubbles. These tubes are connected a Aqua dual air pump. The water seems to be very well oxeginated. I also have a Penguin 330.

I probably need allot of help. The good thing is none of the fish have died.

Thank you in advance!!

 

[Inchworm]

Hi richgonfishn

Please do not be offended that I ask you this since you have had fish before, but do you understand the basics of cycling a tank? If not, you will need to learn very quickly to save the fish you have. Here's an article about it so that we know we are talking about the same thing:

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=10099

In the event that this is new to you, don't worry, just ask lots of questions. There are many members here who will be very happy to help you.

 

[richgonfishn]

Holy Cow.... there is allot to know. It sounds like I did everything wrong, but the fish are not dying. I only have a PH tester. I guess I need to get the strips that test everything else? The 330 Penguin filter is still the same. I did not clean the wheels so at least there should be some bacteria in there? I've noticed one of the Gourami's is agressive towards the other fish. It's a larger grey one with a black dot on it's mid-section and tail. What should I do with him? I don't want him killing other fish.

Thank you,
Rich

 

[Da_Oz]

Gouramis are better alone. Some fish need same type tank mates but Gouramis do better without. Some are agressive and some aren't. You could try puting it in a breeder box for about 2 weeks. This works sometimes. Or trade it in at your LFS for another fish but most times when one agressive fish leaves someone fills it's spot. There will always be a King or Queen of a tank. You just want the less pyshical one to be on top.

 

[clutterydrawer]

Holy Cow.... there is allot to know. It sounds like I did everything wrong, but the fish are not dying. I only have a PH tester. I guess I need to get the strips that test everything else? The 330 Penguin filter is still the same. I did not clean the wheels so at least there should be some bacteria in there? I've noticed one of the Gourami's is agressive towards the other fish. It's a larger grey one with a black dot on it's mid-section and tail. What should I do with him? I don't want him killing other fish.

Thank you,
Rich

Hiya

Am I right in understanding that the tank was set up with fish before, and that the exact same filter and filter media are now being used, and weren't allwoed to dry out in between? If so, you might not have too much of a problem.

Either way though it would be really beneficial to your fish if you could get tests for Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate too if you can afford it. Test your water and if you're not sure what the results mean you can post them here and people will explain them

 

[richgonfishn]

So far so good, BUT I'm worried about the cycle. It's only been 2-3 days since I completely changed the water. I did not declorinate the water. I need to get some tests strips today. Anything I should look for or do?

Thanks again.... I guess I'm an idiot for not checking before cleaning the tank.

 

[clutterydrawer]

Test the water then post the results here. Basically you're gonna have to keep ammonia and nitrite as low as possible by doing lots of water changes.

Get some dechlorinator too...chlorine kills fish AND teh bacteria that cause the cycle.

 

[richgonfishn]

I bought the 5-N-1 strip. Here are the results...

Nitrate- 20 (safe zone)

Nitrite- 0-.05 (safe/caution)

Total Hardness- 150 (hard)

Total Alkalinity- 120 (ideal)

What does all this mean? What do I need to do? I bought the following-

Easy Balance- Keeps aquarium water biologically balnced for up to 6 months. Stabilizes pH and alkalinity level vital for fish & plants. Reduces nitrates amd phosphate.

Aqua Safe- Neutralizes chlorine, chloramine, and heavy metal harmful to fish. Enhances natural, protective slime coating fish.

Start Right- Complete water conditioner for freshwater. Romves chlorine & chloramine.

Do I need to do anything? Currently all fish seem to be fine & happy. One of the fish likes to sit at the bottom. (never noticed this before)

Thank you!!