ph stabilizers

**Nautilus29** · 01-14-2007, 06:45 AM

I put a couple of ph stabilizers in my 55g tank earlier today. I just tested my ammonia nitrites and nitrates, and It showed .5ppm for ammonia, 1ppm for nitrites, and 10 ppm for nitrates. I find this weird because yesterday i showed no nitrites and about 1. for ammonia. I didnt check my nitrates becuase i wasnt showing any nitrites.

Does ph stabilizers mess with your readings. I got the jungle 7.0 tablets.

**Lady Hobbs** · 01-14-2007, 06:56 AM

No point in messing with pH with an uncycled tank. Your water always tested fine before so why start messing with the pH?

**Nautilus29** · 01-14-2007, 07:02 AM

I changed It becuase my ph is so high. but your probibly right I shouldnt have messed with it. I just figured if I lowered it some now I wouldnt have to worry as much about it later.

**kimmers318** · 01-14-2007, 10:07 AM

Messing with PH is almost always a lose situation for most. Especially when trying to lower it. It is much easier to add the buffers that will raise PH than it is to try to neutralize or remove them. The only success stories I have heard involve people using all RO water and adding their own buffers to it. How high is your ph that you want to lower it? Most fish that are not imported are raised in local PH and are okay with it, or you can go with fish that prefer higher PH's.

**Nautilus29** · 01-14-2007, 01:36 PM

My ph is around 8.

I just wanted to know if it messes with your readings. becuase if it doesnt mess with them then my tank is cycling, but if it does then I wont really know what my true readings are.

**Drumachine09** · 01-14-2007, 01:53 PM

Quick PH question, i didnt feel it was worthy of its own threade, does sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) raise the ph of an aquarium?

**Lady Hobbs** · 01-14-2007, 04:52 PM

yes it does

**Lady Hobbs** · 01-14-2007, 04:54 PM

Adam, I would leave the pH alone until your tank is fully cycled. Then if you must lower it, get Correct pH and don't mess with the buffers and all that other stuff. pH should never be lowered more than .5 at a time within 24 hours or your fish will suffer for it.

Work with what comes right from your tap and don't worry about what's in the aquarium right now.