PH Levels

[Maya~4Ix12chen]

The other day my ph levels were at 7.2. I did a water change and tested one day after and the level is now at 7.8 so that means my water is more alkaline. what makes it more alkaline or more acidic ??
This may be a dumb question but I thought I'd ask here.

Could it be from rotting plants perhaps? I know that fish waste & decaying food can change ph levels , but up or down??

Ammonia and nitrite are perfect by the way.

 

[Jo1980]

I'm glad you asked, cause I'd like to know also... I'ver never really thought about it....

Also, after dissolving the powder to bring PH to normal, is it ok to add it straight to the tank? Or should you do it with a water change?

 

[Spilk]

Unless your ph is ridiculously out of wack I wouldn't mess with it, that's a can of worms that I don't think I could handle opening up.

 

[newfishies]

test your tap waters pH...maybe it is actually higher and something in your tank is lowering the pH in the tank?

 

[steelhealr]

Hi..it is my understanding that decaying plant matter, over feeding and insufficient water changes usually lead to a downward trend in pH, ie, acidity, especially if you have a low kH or low carbonate buffering. SH

 

[BobK]

If your buffering capacity is low you are likely to have fluctuations in PH. Rather than messing with the PH it is probably better to add buffers to the water. Measure the KH. Also, I think there is some pinned threads on this subject.