Ph took a dive

[Bryan]

I have a freshly setup 30 gal tank that contains river gravel, a couple pieces of wood and a couple pieces of rock. The gravel, rock and wood are from a tear-down about a year ago, from a tank that I couldn't get the ph properly buffered . . it was constantly acidic.

This tank has gone from 7.0 to below 6.0 in just about two weeks. I've just started water changes, but after the first one, I'm still off the scale.

I'm a little concerned that I may have carried over a problem by reusing the gravel, rock and wood from the previous tank with a problem. These materials had been dry for over a year, and were washed thoroughly prior to setting up this tank.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[SomethingFishy]

It may be the wood.

When I first set up my tank I had no problem maintaining the pH at 7 - 7.5 then I added some wood purchased at my LFS. I noticed the pH gradually drop to around 6.0 within a couple weeks and I could not get it to rise back up.

I posted my concerns here a couple months ago and I was told that driftwood will sometimes cause the pH to drop. The good news is that I was also told that as long as the pH remains relatively constant your community tank will do fine. I will generally add some pH buffer when I do water changes and I have been able to maintain 6.2 - 6.4 and the fish seem fine.

Watch what you add to the tank as I am told that adding too much chemicals to teh tank will stress the fish.

Good luck*celebrate

 

[wayne at home]

If you've got really fay pH changes it usually indicates that you have a very low water hardness to 'buffer' organic acids from the wood and fish 'output'/ What's your water hardness, carbonate hardness. You probably need to add a pH buffer solution

 

[Torpedo]

Yes, the wood can bring the pH level down. However, a high nitrAte level can also lower the pH levels. check that out too. You say it's a fairly net setup, how new is new...what was your cycling process.

Assuming the cycling went ok, I had a pH problem, did a 50% water change and within 2 days, everything was back in line...now I have to keep the changing on schedule.

 

[Bryan]

The tank is still cycling . . starter fish have only been in one week. Ammonia just started to rise about three days ago.

Will check the hardness tonite and repost.

Thanks!!

 

[Bryan]

The water is harder than I thought it would be . . about 220 ppm.

I've taken the wood out and done some water changes. The pH is up to about 6.5. Will see if it holds.