Ph too low

[Guppyramid]

My tank water Ph is too low. I want to use baking soda to get the alkalinity up but not sure how long I should wait, how much I should put between each delay if it’s gradually, and if I should remove m6 fish prior to adding it. My fish are dying and developed shimmying because of it!

 

[Byron]

First what fish do you have?

Second, what is the pH of your tap water and tank water? What is the GH (general hardness) of the tap water? The pH is linked to the GH, as well as dissolved CO2. Attempts to adjust pH (if needed) will only be successful if the GH is also dealt with, depending what it is now.

While waiting for the above...baking soda is not a good buffer. It is not permanent and this means fluctuating pH which can harm fish. There are safer ways but first we need to know the present situation (the data).

 

[Metalhead88]

Byron has you covered, but just to add, are you certain it is a low ph that is killing your fish?

Is the tank cycled? How long has it been set up? and what are ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite levels.

A consistent ph is most important. This is why adding chemicals or something like baking soda to the tank will only fluctuate ph levels and ultimately do more harm than good.

It is best to stock the tank for the water that you have.

 

[seangee]

You mentioned in another thread your alkalinity was too high and now its too low. Did you do something to change it?

 

[Guppyramid]

You mentioned in another thread your alkalinity was too high and now its too low. Did you do something to change it?

Yes, I did the water change and the Alkalinity got too low. Either that or alkalinity wasn’t the problem in the first place. Got Ammonia tested and it’s fine. Not sure what’s wrong still.

 

[Guppyramid]

First what fish do you have?

Second, what is the pH of your tap water and tank water? What is the GH (general hardness) of the tap water? The pH is linked to the GH, as well as dissolved CO2. Attempts to adjust pH (if needed) will only be successful if the GH is also dealt with, depending what it is now.

While waiting for the above...baking soda is not a good buffer. It is not permanent and this means fluctuating pH which can harm fish. There are safer ways but first we need to know the present situation (the data).

Thanks so much for your reply. I have several guppies and 2 dwarf gouramis. Not sure the pH and gH of my tap water but for my tank the hardness is around 300 (guppies like hard water) and pH is aprox. 6.8

 

[Guppyramid]

Byron has you covered, but just to add, are you certain it is a low ph that is killing your fish?

Is the tank cycled? How long has it been set up? and what are ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite levels.

A consistent ph is most important. This is why adding chemicals or something like baking soda to the tank will only fluctuate ph levels and ultimately do more harm than good.

It is best to stock the tank for the water that you have.

Thanks for the reply! The tank is cycled, I’ve set it up for a week but it was used for 2 years prior to that. Tank was completely drained 2 days before setting up again; bacteria remained on filter cartridge, etc. Nitrite and Ammonia are 0, Nitrates are 40. I’m not certain low pH is the problem, I’m not sure to be honest with you. It’s my best guess. A lot of fish had died already, and a lot of fish die around the live plants if that makes any difference. 1 had a seizure before she died. A couple of them lost colour before. One is dying I believe. He is shimmying and lost some colour. A couple other fish shimmied before they died. No other real signs of disease that I know of.

 

[Guppyramid]

Just to add, the plants are newly placed, they were never in before the first week of setting the tank up. Should I have let them establish? Are the plants the problem?

 

[seangee]

pH and / or alkalinity is almost certainly NOT your problem. Please don't try to adjust this as it will likely only cause more problems.

 

[Byron]

Seangee posted as I am typing, and I agree this is not likely the issue. Guppies in water with a GH as high as 300 are not going to have trouble leading to death for that reason, even if the pH is 6.8. But these numbers for GH (300 ppm) and pH 6.8 do not make sense. And by "Alkalinity" are you referring to the KH (carbonate hardness)?

We still need to start with your source (tap) water. You might find data on the website of your municipal water authority. And are you doing anything with the water, such as additives, substrate material...anything? Please list all additives.

I am not following the cycling...if the filter media dried out the bacteria would all have died. Did you keep it wet for the two days?

Nitrate at 40 ppm is high, but this also would not kill guppies so rapidly, though it will weaken most fish. Have you tested the tap water for nitrates? Nitrates in the source water is one issue, and nitrates occurring from within the aquarium system is another.

 

[Guppyramid]

Seangee posted as I am typing, and I agree this is not likely the issue. Guppies in water with a GH as high as 300 are not going to have trouble leading to death for that reason, even if the pH is 6.8. But these numbers for GH (300 ppm) and pH 6.8 do not make sense. And by "Alkalinity" are you referring to the KH (carbonate hardness)?

We still need to start with your source (tap) water. You might find data on the website of your municipal water authority. And are you doing anything with the water, such as additives, substrate material...anything? Please list all additives.

I am not following the cycling...if the filter media dried out the bacteria would all have died. Did you keep it wet for the two days?

Nitrate at 40 ppm is high, but this also would not kill guppies so rapidly, though it will weaken most fish. Have you tested the tap water for nitrates? Nitrates in the source water is one issue, and nitrates occurring from within the aquarium system is another.

Hm.. I added water conditioner when first set up. 15 minutes later some more bacteria starter. The filter media is a sponge media it was kept wet for the time. Do you think my municipal water authority’s website would have the nitrate level listed? I will check.

 

[Byron]

Hm.. I added water conditioner when first set up. 15 minutes later some more bacteria starter. The filter media is a sponge media it was kept wet for the time. Do you think my municipal water authority’s website would have the nitrate level listed? I will check.

They might have nitrates, along with GH, KH and pH. Which water conditioner do you use? And what bacterial starter?

Sorry for all our questons, but it is essential that we know all these factors. Water chemistry is extremely complicated, and adding one substance can have consequences well beyond that one aspect. And fish living in the water will be impacted too.

 

[Guppyramid]

Nitrite <0.02
Nitrate 0.34
Hardness 19 grains /gallon
pH between 6.5 and 8.5

 

[Guppyramid]

They might have nitrates, along with GH, KH and pH. Which water conditioner do you use? And what bacterial starter?

Sorry for all our questons, but it is essential that we know all these factors. Water chemistry is extremely complicated, and adding one substance can have consequences well beyond that one aspect. And fish living in the water will be impacted too.

Oh it’s no problem! Thank you and everyone else for helping! I use Top Fin water conditioner and Top Fin Readistart water conditioner.

 

[Guppyramid]

pH and / or alkalinity is almost certainly NOT your problem. Please don't try to adjust this as it will likely only cause more problems.

Any ideas what could be?