Ugh... Ph Question

[Delaneia]

Hi. So I'm new to the whole water testing deal
I have 2 RBP in to seperate 30 gallon tanks and the one tanks ph is 7.6 while the other one is 7.2. So I bought some "ph down" solution. The directions say "2 drops for every 1 gallon or 4 L of water". So my question is will that amount lower the ph by 1 point? The directions were really vague and I need to know by people who are experienced with this how much to add. And also when should I test again? They are both tanks that are cycled (4 months now)

 

[Ristof]

Hi. So I'm new to the whole water testing deal
I have 2 RBP in to seperate 30 gallon tanks and the one tanks ph is 7.6 while the other one is 7.2. So I bought some "ph down" solution. The directions say "2 drops for every 1 gallon or 4 L of water". So my question is will that amount lower the ph by 1 point? The directions were really vague and I need to know by people who are experienced with this how much to add. And also when should I test again? They are both tanks that are cycled (4 months now)

Don't feel too bad about being confused with it, I too couldn't work it out.
What I found was a product that is a powder that changes the PH to 7.0 no matter whether it is high or low. This product also removes chlorine.
There are a few of them out there and it also tack out the guess work. Add the amount everytime you do a water change or every second and you can't go wrong

Sorry this doesn't answer your question - I am not sure, what you can try is test the PH level of your tank before you use it, add your 2 drops into the tank and test it again the next day and see what the difference is.

 

[rdd1952]

Directions: Remove cap from bottle of pH Down. Pour in toilet. Flush.

It is one of the most harmful things you can put in your tank as it keeps the pH in constant swing. Most fish can easily adapt to any stable pH and your pH is fine. Almost every community fish will be fine in that water. If you do want to lower it, get some bogwood. It adds a nice touch to the tank and will lower the pH naturally.

What is the pH of your tap water?

 

[Yazan]

Directions: Remove cap from bottle of pH Down. Pour in toilet. Flush.

That's what I would say. Just getting some bock wood from the local park which costs $00.00 and socking it for a week and putting it in the tank will be much better than putting things in that you even don't know how to use.
PS: keep the pH down, you will need it some time in the hobby.

 

[dwarfgourami]

PS: keep the pH down, you will need it some time in the hobby.

Not necessarily. It depends on what you decide to keep. There is no rule that says all fishkeepers have to progress through the same species. I have decided to adapt my choice of fish to my water rather than my water to the fish. So no discus, no rams, but a wealth of livebearers, rainbow fish etc to choose from. And in addition, a lot of mid-range fish that simply aren't that bothered. My corys keep spawning, my bristlenoses had 7 batches of fry before I decided to separate them- and my ph is higher than yours.

And as rdd said, most community fish do much better with a high ph than with a swinging one. Bogwood IME does have an effect, but it's not a massive one; don't expect hard alkaline water to suddenly turn Amazonian just because you chuck in a piece of wood. And do be careful about collecting it locally, unless you KNOW that there are no harmful chemicals etc in your local park. Still, bogwood is good stuff. Looks good too.

 

[Delaneia]

Bogwood?
wow that sounds MUCH better than the chemicals..I was worried putting that in my tank
The ph of my tapwater is 7.4
so I guess I'll hunt for some bogwood ^.^
Thanks so much

 

[thegnu]

PS: keep the pH down, you will need it some time in the hobby.

Not necessarily. It depends on what you decide to keep. There is no rule that says all fishkeepers have to progress through the same species. I have decided to adapt my choice of fish to my water rather than my water to the fish. So no discus, no rams, but a wealth of livebearers, rainbow fish etc to choose from. And in addition, a lot of mid-range fish that simply aren't that bothered. My corys keep spawning, my bristlenoses had 7 batches of fry before I decided to separate them- and my ph is higher than yours.

And as rdd said, most community fish do much better with a high ph than with a swinging one. Bogwood IME does have an effect, but it's not a massive one; don't expect hard alkaline water to suddenly turn Amazonian just because you chuck in a piece of wood. And do be careful about collecting it locally, unless you KNOW that there are no harmful chemicals etc in your local park. Still, bogwood is good stuff. Looks good too.

i couldnt agree more with this. i hope lots of people read this. just like to add its possible to have a fairly high pH combined with a fairly low GH which would take the sting out of it