Do plants affect pH?

**drmommacat** · 05-15-2012, 07:45 PM

I have planted tanks for the first time, the first one has been planted for about 2 months. Previously my pH was very steady at 7, but now in all three tanks the pH is determined to be at around 6. Is this because of the plants, and should I do anything about it? I know it is better to have a stable pH than to try to change it, but I worry that 6 is really too low. My tap water is pH 8. I have stopped adding any pH balance stuff when I do water changes and it still settles at around 6. All three tanks are tropical community tanks.

Thanks!

**bignellm** · 05-15-2012, 08:15 PM

You running Co2? Or adding anything?

**drmommacat** · 05-15-2012, 08:31 PM

Nope. My 26gal tank is going crazy with plant growth, they are growing out of the water and I have to prune them EVERY WEEK! I have planted both my other tanks with trimmings from that one.

The 29gal has lower lighting so the plants are growing but slower, and the 92 seems to be somewhere in the middle in terms of plant growth.

To be honest I don't really want them growing any faster! I have a hard time keeping up with them as it is.

**Suda Nim** · 05-15-2012, 08:39 PM

I just had that exact same problem! Tap water is about 8, tank pH was 7-ish during cycling, went off-the-scale below 6 after a while.

I put about a teaspoon of crushed coral in a bag in the filter. pH is now about 6.8.

Too bad crushed coral only comes in 25-pound bags. Need some crushed coral?

**drmommacat** · 05-15-2012, 09:03 PM

I might need some!! :) If the pH doesn't regulate up on its own in a couple weeks I will try that. Thanks!!

**bignellm** · 05-15-2012, 09:24 PM

Originally Posted by Suda Nim

I just had that exact same problem! Tap water is about 8, tank pH was 7-ish during cycling, went off-the-scale below 6 after a while.

I put about a teaspoon of crushed coral in a bag in the filter. pH is now about 6.8.

Too bad crushed coral only comes in 25-pound bags. Need some crushed coral?

Yep, 25Lb bags. Wouldn't mind some myself someday soon. To counter a bit the effects of my Co2, if it dips too low in the future.

**hpt84** · 05-16-2012, 01:27 AM

Do you have any driftwood in the tank? Some driftwood release tannin which will lower your pH.

**Suda Nim** · 05-16-2012, 01:51 AM

I'd be happy to share the coral! Anyone who'd like a small amount, please message me.

**drmommacat** · 05-16-2012, 03:16 PM

As for the driftwood, I do have some in all three tanks, but it's been there since tank set up in Ocotber 2011 and the pH was stable at 7 until just the past few weeks, after I added live plants.

**Lady Hobbs** · 05-16-2012, 04:48 PM

How large are your water changes? Perhaps a couple bigger water changes might help bring your pH back up? Have you checked it from the tap? The tank should be the same as right from the tap and if not, something is bringing it down. My jammed packed tanks (plants) still read 7.6 just as the tap is.