my PH levels shot up

[92rsmuscle]

well, my PH levels were at around 7.5 2 days ago, and now the high-range is at like 8.0, and the freshwater PH is around 7.8-8.0 as well

is there anything i can do to lower the PH asside from PH DOWN? because i hear that stuff will just make your levels bounce around.

unless thats whats best

a quick response is greatly appreciated

will these levels hurt my fish if they are in it for a day or 2?

thanks

 

[Somonas]

I would say that if your PH is stable at 8, and your fish are OK in it, then leave it at 8.

Unless you are trying to breed something that requires a low ph (discus etc), then a stable PH is better than a yo-yoing PH.

 

[colesea]

What type of fish do you have?

Many species of fish can be acclimated within a wide range of pH tolerance. It isn't so much what the pH is, but that you maintain a stable pH. Unless you intend to breed, pH of your tank is not as important as your ammonia, nitrite, nitrate levels. If you are doing regular water changes (25-30% of tank once a week), that should keep things pretty stable.

What is the pH of your tap water from the faucet? What type of rockwork and woodwork do you have for decoration? How long has your tank been established and when was your last water change?
~~Colesea

 

[FroggyFox]

Have a quick response...but I'm not sure how much help I'll be.

8 is high...but its liveable.

What do you have in your tank that might have reacted to your water to raise the pH? (seashells, crushed coral, rocks etc)

Or have you tried aging your water? Take some water and put it in a bucket...drop an airstone in...check the ph, then check the ph again in the morning and see if it has risen.

I don't have any good ways to lower ph...probably better get some reactions from other people on that one. I hear peat is good for lowering it naturally...

 

[Leopardess]

yes, I'd say check and see if you have put anything in the tank recently (like rocks) that would have caused the rise.

Peat is a good stable way to lower your pH. Just stick some in your filter...

 

[luvmygobies]

Does baking soda bring the pH up or down? I can't remember. I have a buffer that keeps my pH around an 8.3 for my tank. But I have a brackish communtiy, so that might be different.

 

[AndyL]

Originally posted by Somonas
I would say that if your PH is stable at 8, and your fish are OK in it, then leave it at 8.

Unless you are trying to breed something that requires a low ph (discus etc), then a stable PH is better than a yo-yoing PH.

Whoah hold on there...

Let the pH fall where it may... Screwing around with it will only kill fish. End of story.

The myth that discus NEED a low ph is also just that... A myth, go to www.simplydiscus.com in the general forum read Beth's ongoing Pool project.

Her discus are being reared in a swimming pool, with a pH over 10.