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Update Report For My 10 Gal.

4K views 23 replies 4 participants last post by  equatics 
#1 · (Edited)
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
 
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#2 ·
best of luck with yours as well
 
#11 ·
Is the pH change occurring when you do your water changer? What is your tap water's pH?
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Jenesque,

The pH changed once from 6.8 to about 7.6 when I put in Seachem Equilibrium, but that wasn't the problem I think. I suspect something knocked out the pH Down buffer that kept the pH down. Can't even find the bottle, I think I threw it out. For tap pH see above.

Steve
 
#4 ·
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.
 
#5 ·
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.
 
#6 ·
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
 
#9 · (Edited)
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
 
#12 ·
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
You're getting a lot of variation in pH here...earlier the tap was said to be 8.9, now it is 7.4...outgassing CO2 would result in the same or higher pH, not lower, so this is puzzling. Unless the source water is varying due to something we are not aware of.

I would use the regular pH test kit, not the high, with numbers in the 6's and 7's.

KH was previously said to be 2 dKH, so the pH in the aquarium should tend to lower a bit. A partial water change using "pure" water might work as it will dilute the buffering capacity. The GH can be left alone until this is settled.

Byron.
 
#10 ·
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.
 
#15 ·
Byron,

I'm having another problem, with KH. I'm reading it as 1 - the first drop turns the water yellow, so KH could even be less than one. I'll have to test again. I wonder what would cause the KH drop?
 
#16 ·
Byron,

I'm having another problem, with KH. I'm reading it as 1 - the first drop turns the water yellow, so KH could even be less than one. I'll have to test again. I wonder what would cause the KH drop?
Is this tap water or tank water?

KH was said to be <2 previously, it may still be close.
 
#19 ·
Byron,

I did the partial water change with 2 gallons of distilled water. Here are the test results:
pH - 7.6
Nitrate - 0
KH - 2
GH - 6
-- Water Change --
pH - 7.6
KH - 1
GH - 5 (didn't put in any Eq)

I got you on your latest recommendation. My water started out around 7.6. I guess I'll do it - will have to pick up the pH Down.
 
#20 ·
Byron,

I did the partial water change with 2 gallons of distilled water. Here are the test results:
pH - 7.6
Nitrate - 0
KH - 2
GH - 6
-- Water Change --
pH - 7.6
KH - 1
GH - 5 (didn't put in any Eq)

I got you on your latest recommendation. My water started out around 7.6. I guess I'll do it - will have to pick up the pH Down.
The pH should lower. Go easy on the pH down, I never do more than one drop per gallon.
 
#21 ·
I was up early this morning and decided to get a pH even though the tank lights were not on yet.

The color was green, instead of blue like it has been. That corresponds to neutral, 7.0. I wish it would stay that way until 10:30, when I usually take it. I know this is the CO2 talking. Normal pH at 10:30 is 7.6.
 
#22 ·
I just took a pH at 5:30pm and it was 6.8. It should have been higher than 7.0 instead of lower. Maybe the pH is dropping for some reason, maybe KH. I guess I'll just have to keep on getting pH and see what happens.

Thanks for your help Byron in this strange chain of events.
 
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