Tank Readings.....help!

[Dazzlearoobob]

Hey,

Just got a test kit recently and tested my water yesterday. Everything was fine except the PH was 6.0. EEK!!!!

I tested my tap water and got a reading of 7.2 so I know there are no issues with my source water.

I performed a 50% water change and have just, after 24 hours, performed more water tests. Results below. Please advise what I can do to improve the PH. I have no idea what is lowering it. My tank details are in my signature.

PH 6.2
Ammonia 0.25ppm
Nitrites 0ppm
Nitrates 0ppm

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Darren

 

[shelaghfishface]

are u sure you got those readsings right? cos if u have, u have a problem..... u fishless cycling by any chance? or stocked?

 

[doresy]

What substrate are you using and do you have any rock/ornaments?

 

[bagu]

well ammonia should be 0 if fishes are in =/ but ill see if its fishless first =]

like dorsey said, what substrate ornaments/rocks you got? Co2?

 

[Dazzlearoobob]

Tank is stocked with 2 gourami, 6 neon teras and 3 cory. Have black and red stones on the base with a large fish decoration that I bought from my lps. Have only one plant and about a million snails. Could these be causing the issues?

 

[bagu]

Tank is stocked with 2 gourami, 6 neon teras and 3 cory. Have black and red stones on the base with a large fish decoration that I bought from my lps. Have only one plant and about a million snails. Could these be causing the issues?

hmmm

ammonia should be 0, did you cycle your tank properly? and 0 nitrates is rare =/

might be the stones

 

[Dazzlearoobob]

Tank is stocked with 2 gourami, 6 neon teras and 3 cory. Have black and red stones on the base with a large fish decoration that I bought from my lps. Have only one plant and about a million snails. Could these be causing the issues?

hmmm

ammonia should be 0, did you cycle your tank properly? and 0 nitrates is rare =/

might be the stones

Not quite cycled propery

Have the tank about 6 months now and the fish all seem fine.

Would it not be cycled now??

Sorry if thats a stupid question.

 

[shelaghfishface]

if we knew the readings we could maybe answer that for you ( dont worry about not cycling properly, most of us did it like that then searched google for help when we got a problem- here we all are )

but something has caused the ammonia to spike- when did u add the fish? snails wont do it, neither will plants

 

[Dazzlearoobob]

Fish have been in there for about 3 months and the tank is the same ornament wise since January. The only thing I added in April was a colosseum I bought in the states. I'm at a loss.

 

[shelaghfishface]

well if anything that may alter your PH but not add ammonia, have you washed the filter out? in old tank water recently? maybe its a bit clogged
do another water change b4 bed and stest again in the morning
will be plenty of fresh advice then for you

 

[Dazzlearoobob]

OK. So just getting arounf to a water test now and the readings are as follow:

PH still 6.0
Ammonia .25ppm
Nitrites 0ppm
Nitrates 20ppm

Still worried about the PH levels and the ammonia spike. Any more suggestions?
D