ph problems

[drive]

tried various ways to raise ph level in tank(4x18x2) but it will not move from 6 got a piece of tuffa rock in aswell and also used 1 bottle of ph up. any ideas. would it be safe to use baking soda.got 2 external filters running on the setup niether have carbon in.

 

[annka5]

Am not trying to be mean, but are you sure you're reading the test right? An entire bottle of Ph up and no effect???

Try taking a water sample to your LFS or using the test kit to measure something you know isn't a PH of 6, e.g. household bleach, and check the result is what you'd expect.

Test the PH of your tap water /the water you put in to your tank. If it's significantly different to the water in your tank, then is it (a) water change regime not up to the mark, or (B) decor in the tank ?

 

[rdd1952]

Sounds like you have a faulty test kit. Are you using strips or liquid tests? Strips can be inaccurate but liquid test can also be off if the drops are old. A full bottle of pH Up should have your pH off the charts high. Also, be very careful raising the pH and don't do it too fast as that is one of the most stressful thing for fish. Make sure you do it very slowly. Also, if the tank pH is significantly different from the tap pH, be careful not to do large water changes as that can lead to a huge pH swing and kill your fish.

 

[LoachLover]

Sounds like the test kit isn't working right. Raising the PH with fish still in the tank usually stresses them out more than it helps.

 

[reg2k2]

Yes, please confirm the pH results...I would think the tufa should have made a difference. As suggested, test the source water as well. If there is a water problem (and not just a faulty test), there are solutions, including the b.soda, but you need to know what you're working with.