Problems with pH

[fishlover49]

Every time I do a WC I end up with really low pH. The fish start acting weird and are not active at all. All they do is sit on the bottom of the tank. I do a 25% WC every week and a half. I end up using pH up or I am afraid the fish will die. The pH up doesn't seem to bother them, as long as I do it slow. It usually only takes a little bit to get it back to 7.0. Before I treat the tank with it, the pH is almost off the chart acidic. I wait for a day or two before I test the pH to see if maybe it will buffer back itself, but that very seldom happens. I really don't like using meds in my tanks at all, but I have to get the pH back up pretty fast. :scry: Do you think there are any ill effects in using the pH up every time I do a WC? "So far," it hasn't bothered any of them. After I treat and the pH is back to normal, they are very active and all over the tank.

Thanks!

[robflanker]

whats the pH of the tap water or your water source?

[fishlover49]

That's the problem. It is off the chart acidic. :scry: I am afraid if I try to treat the tap water before I add it to the tank, I will really end up with a mess.

[robflanker]

i think WT or NG recommend crushed corals to me as I have less-extreme but similar problem with my water.

Not sure how that works with freshwater tho, but my tank seemed to figure itself out as i know have a higher pH

*edit - i have pH raiser by API. It certainly works but its unpredictable. You could try pre-treating with that before adding, but most shy away from these pH raisers*

[rich311k]

I bet you have a Kh reading of close to zero. I would suggest a bag of crushed coral in your filter it will maintain the Ph at a consistent level with out using a buffer every time you change water.

[fishlover49]

Thanks everyone! :ssmile: