The PH challenge

[Null]

I've been struggling for weeks to get my 55 gallon tank cycled. I noticed the PH was reading way low... around 6. I got some API perfect 7 to help adjust the levels (along with water changes). I've now applied the API three times. Tests 30 mins later show a raise to 6.4 or so, but back down within 24 hours.

I had some quartz rock in the tank, but removed them in case they were causing the issues.

I have 5 zebra dianos, 2 gold fish, and a common Pleco.

The tank is being filtered by a Fluval 405 with a large media filter, two chambers of ceramic filter pieces, and a water polishing pad in the last chamber.

All plants are plastic/silk.

[Padams]

Have you checked you tap water to see if there is a difference? You may have low ph tap. What fish are you trying to up the ph for? Those listed are pretty tolerant for the most part.

[rookie]

yea the ph is low by me when i was cycling my tank was at 6 then once established it went to 6.4 and has been there ever since. i decided that stable ph is better then playing with it every week at water change time. so i went with a South american cichlid tank they dont mind the low ph and everything has been great ever since i got the right fish for my tank.

[Null]

I had read that the gold fish liked a 6.8 or so ph.

Part of my problem is the tank just won't cycle, and I've tried both Cycle and API's inactive bacteria suuplements. I never get any Nitrate or Nitrite readings from my master test kit. It got good readings on the 10 gal I came from....

I thought too the PH might be a factor. Tap water seems to be around 6.6-6.8

[rookie]

a tank will cycle no matter what the ph because ammonia is being released into the water columb. depending the size of your fish it may take a little wile when i cycled my 110 it took a long time like a month and a half hang in there and just keep your paramiters in check for the saftey of the fish.

[Lab_Rat]

I've been struggling for weeks to get my 55 gallon tank cycled. I noticed the PH was reading way low... around 6. I got some API perfect 7 to help adjust the levels (along with water changes). I've now applied the API three times. Tests 30 mins later show a raise to 6.4 or so, but back down within 24 hours.

I had some quartz rock in the tank, but removed them in case they were causing the issues.

I have 5 zebra dianos, 2 gold fish, and a common Pleco.

The tank is being filtered by a Fluval 405 with a large media filter, two chambers of ceramic filter pieces, and a water polishing pad in the last chamber.

All plants are plastic/silk.

Those pH swings are much worse for your fish than a low pH. If you really feel the need to increase the pH add some crushed coral to a media basket in your filter.