Update Report For My 10 Gal.

Nemo the Clownfish

There's a lot going on in my tank, and I have a couple of questions before I get to the nitty gritty. I put Equilibrium in the tank, following directions.. Before, my GH was 1 or less - now it's 6 dGH. I was shooting for five but the half-tablespoon must have been off. That's not so bad, but my KH is unaffected at 2 dkh now, and pH is 7.8 from 6.6- I tested it 3 times!. I plan to change 25% of the water and see if that helps. Maybe someone could tell me why the pH is so high.

Ok, the biggest change was the Equilbrium. Besides that, I bought some Cabomba and some Water Sprite and 2 Pristella Tetras - I'm going to buy 5 more.. My plants have seemed to like the Equilibrium TheTetras setled in pretty well, and aren't dead because of the pH change. I found a filament of Java Moss and put it at the base of the wood. I threw in 2 or3 pieces of gravel to hold it down.

I'm a little concerned about everyone getting enough light, but I guess sometimes that's the way it goes. I don't think anyone's dying.

Well, I guess that's the update. I wish you all success and healthy and beautiful aquaria.

Steve

kitten_penang

best of luck with yours as well

jennesque

Is the pH change occurring when you do your water changer? What is your tap water's pH?
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Nemo the Clownfish

The pH went from 6.6 to 7.8 after I put enough Equilibrium to go from 1-0 GH to 6 GH. I was shooting for 5 GH.

Tap water is something like 8.9 but it might go down after 24 hours.

Byron

I would not expect the pH to be due to the Equilibrium. I have been using this for several months now, in similar circumstances [tap water half of one degree GH and KH, adding Eq to result in 5-6 dGH] and it does not alter the pH which has remained stable in all tanks. Some are 5, some 6.2 and one is 6.8 and no changes.

Is the tap water pH of 8.9 accurate? By which I mean, did you either let the water sit 24 hours or shake it to outgas the CO2 before testing?

Have you tested the tank just prior to a water change, and then about half an hour following? And if yes, what were the numbers?

Byron.

Nemo the Clownfish

Hi Byron. No, the number is not exact. I used less than a half gallon of tap water which had been sitting in a gallon container on the floor for several days - too bad I didn't test it. It did have water conditioner in it.

I would certainly be willing to blend some water in my blender if you tell me how long you shake the water.

Thanks,
Steve

Byron

Jusyt put some tap water in a jar with a tight fitting lid and shake it for a couple minutes. Then test the pH. Depending upon the CO2 level in the tap water, the pH may read higher after outgassing the CO2, and this will be more accurate.

Then i will want the before/after water change numbers.

Nemo the Clownfish

Ok, I'll get it to you ASAP.

Nemo the Clownfish

Byron -

The pH's from degassed tap water came out:

pH 7.6 (test maximum)
phHigh 7.4 (test minimum)

pH before Eq application: pH 6.6 to 6.8 (in tank) on a range of different times and dates - mostly 10:30 am.

The tank pH was 7.6 after adding Eq.

Please let me know how to proceed (water change?).

Steve

Nemo the Clownfish

Btw, my unidentified sword (best guess Melon Sword) is looking a little peaked and out of his pH range. Everybody else is doing phenomenally - e.g., Cabomba growing an inch in a very short time. I'd just like to have my 6.4 pH or thereabouts back.

Btw, I wonder about the pH Down 7.0 i used when I first started my tank and was uneducated, about 50 days ago. I kind of wonder if something ate up that buffer.