Low PH question

[Nataqua]

Hello,

I have just set up a Fluval Ebi with the shrimp stratum, rocks (slate and river rocks), driftwood and some plants (1 anubia and 3 bunches of pennywort). I have a 25 w heater (temp. 78) and the stock filter to which I have added bio media/noodles.

The tap water (to which I have added BettaPlus water conditioner and let rest over night) tested at
The 6-6.5 range with the Nutrafin test kit. I filled the tank in the morning and tested it that night and PH was at 5-5.5. This morning I did a 50% water change and PH was at 6-6.5. I just retested and the PH is back down to 5-5.5.

I realise that the FSS lowers PH, and that driftwood should as well, but at that level I am worried about what I can house In the tank. Most. Fish and plants seem to have a low PH tolerance of 6.

Should I try to raise the PH?, Take out the wood?

Thank you for your help!

Nat.

[charlie]

Hi Nat,
What do you want to keep in the tank?
What does your test kit read the PH of the water right out of the tap at?
Regards

[Nataqua]

Hello Charlie,

Thank you for replying!

I just tested my tap water and it is at 6-6.5 right out of the tap.

I was thinking of a Betta, a snail or two, perhaps shrimp, but that might be difficult with a betta

Cheers!

Nat.

[Saltcreep]

My guess is the driftwood. Try it without and test the Ph again for a couple of days.

[Nataqua]

Thank you Saltcreep!, I will take it out, do a water change and check again.

Cheers,

Nat.

[brotherluv]

You can try mixing some aragonite in with  your substrate to boost the ph...

[exv152]

If you have low KH, the pH can fluctuate widely. My first guess is either the wood or the stratum is lowering the pH, but if you very slightly (and I do mean very slightly given teh size of the tank) adjust the kh to say 2-4 degrees your pH should be a lot more stable. That said, pH should normally fluctuate at different times of the day.

[Nataqua]

Thank you for the advice!

I will get a kh test first and see if I need to adjust. Is that the role of aragonite?

I took the driftwood out and made a 40% water change and will re-test water later tonight and tomorrow. I'm crossing my fingers:)

Cheers,

Nat.

[exv152]

Just a heads up, most Ottawa municpal water has low kh in my experience, so I wouldn't be surprised if you get a zero reading.

[charlie]

Hi Nat a few things that jumps out at me - I`m a bit surprised your tap water right out of the tap is being reported by your kit @ 6-6.5 where are you located? if it`s in Ottawa i would be suspicious of your test kit.
Another thing is in my experience tap water usually drops  a bit in Ph after degassing when taken from the tap, your tap water is testing @ 6-6.5 & doing the same even after it sits in the tank over night.
With the soft water we get in Ottawa the stratum substrate does buffer your PH levels between 1/2 a PH point & 1.5 PH point, .
I would not support keeping Betta with smaller shrimp,chances are the Betta will be one happy fish & the shrimp not so happy.
For reference  i use both the Fluval shrimp & plant stratum in 3 different tanks , 2 of which are heavily co2 injected & i don`t mess with trying to increase the KH of the water both plants & animals are doing great including cherry shrimp,Amano shrimp & Crystal red shrimp.
My dedicated Crystal Red shrimp tank does not get CO 2 injection or any fertilization but has the Fluval shrimp stratum & the PH is down to around 6- shrimp is happy as can be.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhfMmA1hHjk&feature=youtu.be
These are just my personal experiences.
Regards

[Nataqua]

Thank you exv152 and Charlie,

I forgot to mention it in my original post, I'm in Gatineau, in the Hull sector. I have searched and have not been able to find any info about Gatineau water online; I also asked a lfs what their experience was with PH, and I was told in the 7 range but that it varied. My next move is to call the city and see what they say. I have been wondering about my test kit, I might try another brand.

That is a beautiful tank Charlie, the shrimp contrast beautifully against the lush green of the plants and the darkness of the substrate. They do look quite happy!

I have a question regarding the substrate, would an increased quantity affect the Ph?, I have added more than the amount provided with the tank (1/2 a bag). I did this at the initial setup.

I have tested the water again and after taking out the wood and water change it is still at 5-5.5.

I will do another water change tomorrow and re-test. Hopefully I will get some info from the city to confirm whether my test kit is accurate.

Thanks again for all your help.

Cheers,

Nat.

[charlie]

I forgot to mention it in my original post, I'm in Gatineau, in the Hull sector. I have searched and have not been able to find any info about Gatineau water online; I also asked a lfs what their experience was with PH, and I was told in the 7 range but that it varied. My next move is to call the city and see what they say. I have been wondering about my test kit, I might try another brand.

you can also take a water sample to La Niche( a OVAS sponsor) & ask them to test it.There is also a number of aquariust from your area on this very board who can share their experiences as to what PH etc the water comes out of the tap at.

That is a beautiful tank Charlie, the shrimp contrast beautifully against the lush green of the plants and the darkness of the substrate. They do look quite happy!

Thanks Nat

I have a question regarding the substrate, would an increased quantity affect the Ph?, I have added more than the amount provided with the tank (1/2 a bag). I did this at the initial setup.

I`m inclined to believe it will, i have experienced this in my dedicated shrimp tank that i linked the video to.
Hope this helps

[bizfromqc]

I'm in Gatineau (Gatineau Sector) and water out of the tap is around 7-7.5 usually settles around 6.5-7 after a little while and drops to about 6 because of the peat in my canister filter.

I second Errol's suggestion to take a sample to La Niche. They'll tell you right away and you can get a newer test kit while you're there if yours is kaputt.

Eric

[brotherluv]

Personally, I wouldn't waste my money on another test kit when I could get la niche to do it for free...if it really is as low as your kit says you can spend your money on something to raise it.  Aragonite as mentioned earlier will do that and keep it stable...as long as you dont mind white mixed in with what you've got...almost any fish in any LFS has a huge range of ph it can survive happily in...I've tested ph once in each of my FW tank and have had minimal casualties, with an abundance of babies in almost a year.

[Nataqua]

Hey thank's again for all the advice and info!

I have been at La Niche a few times now, that's where I asked about the PH, I never thought of having the water tested there. It never even cross my mind that test kits could be flawed. I will try to go to La Niche this WE. I called the city this morning and someone from Environmental services should call me back with info about the PH.

Regarding a new test kit, if it happens that mine is incorrect, should I not trust the other tests and just throw everything out?, its a mini master test kit with ammonia, nitrite and nitrate tests. If anyone can reccomend a brand, that would be great! Thank you Brotherluv for trying to save me money ;-) I actually ran out of the PH test this morning, it did not last very long, anyways I will wait till I get results from the city and La Niche to see where I go from there.

Is aragonite easy to get?, I would not mind at all if I had white specs, as long as I can have a proper PH! I have learned that as long as the PH is stable that fish will be ok and can adapt, if a PH of 5 does not hurt the fish then I would be very happy with not trying to play too much with the water parameters.

Bizfromque, I would gladly take your 6 :-) I cannot believe I'm saying this, but I am hoping my test kit is bad ;-)

Thank you!

Nat.

[bizfromqc]

Hey thank's again for all the advice and info!

I have been at La Niche a few times now, that's where I asked about the PH, I never thought of having the water tested there. It never even cross my mind that test kits could be flawed. I will try to go to La Niche this WE. I called the city this morning and someone from Environmental services should call me back with info about the PH.

Regarding a new test kit, if it happens that mine is incorrect, should I not trust the other tests and just throw everything out?, its a mini master test kit with ammonia, nitrite and nitrate tests. If anyone can reccomend a brand, that would be great! Thank you Brotherluv for trying to save me money ;-) I actually ran out of the PH test this morning, it did not last very long, anyways I will wait till I get results from the city and La Niche to see where I go from there.

Is aragonite easy to get?, I would not mind at all if I had white specs, as long as I can have a proper PH! I have learned that as long as the PH is stable that fish will be ok and can adapt, if a PH of 5 does not hurt the fish then I would be very happy with not trying to play too much with the water parameters.

Bizfromque, I would gladly take your 6 :-) I cannot believe I'm saying this, but I am hoping my test kit is bad ;-)

Thank you!

Nat.

Test kits are handy and useful to have around when something is off and to steer you in the right direction and essential when cycling a tank.  I have the NutraFin Mini Master Kit and it has been working great for me.

I wouldn't worry too much about the low pH though as long as you're not intending on keeping needy or delicate sensitive fish. I think most fish would adjust to your params and would try it out before monkeying around with chemicals and additives.

[brotherluv]

You can get aragonite from any SW sponsor on here.  I use it for my Malawi cichlid tank.  Good luck

[charlie]

My 2 cents would be don`t try to manipulate water parameters Like Eric suggested, fish is far more adaptable than we give them credit for - the key is stability .

[brotherluv]

Agreed  

[Fishnut]

Agreed!  There are lots of fish that will happily adapt to that water.  It'll just be a matter of very slowly acclimatizing them to the new water conditions when you buy them.

As another suggestion to increase the PH and KH (if that's the route you really want to go) you can use the Tulfa Rock.  It looks like a beige lava rock.  You don't need much and it adds an interesting decor component to the tank.  I use it in one of my tanks to raise the PH to 8...only I have 2 fist sized bits in a 5 gallon tank.