Is it normal for pH to drop during cycling???

**CarolinaGirl** · 03-16-2011, 06:00 PM

I'm hopefully near completion of a fishless cycle. I started out with an accidental ammonia overdose of 8. My nitrites got up to 5 or above. Ammonia started falling and while nitrites were high I kept dosing for ammonia to stay between 1 and 2. So now nitrites have finally dropped to 1. And nitrates are about 80. So I'm hoping to stock fish soon. But I just checked pH for the first time in a while and saw that it was at 6.0. Wow. Is this normal? I figure the large water change that will be needed to lower nitrates will also take care of pH, but wondered is this normal? Fortunately our tap water is about slightly base, 7.4ish, so I'm not overly concerned, nor do I plan to alter it with chemicals. Just curious more than anything and also hoping to get feedback to make sure I'm on the right track?

**Brhino** · 03-16-2011, 06:02 PM

yes. Ammonia concentrations lower pH. Don't worry about pH at all while doing a fishless cycle.

**Cliff** · 03-16-2011, 06:04 PM

You will notice your PH has stablized when your cycle has finished and you have completed a 90% + water change before adding your first fish

It's normal for your PH to get out of whack during the cycling process. With your ammoina and nitrite at toxic levels, it will effect the overall water quality including PH. I'm no chemist so I can offer a more detailed explaination than that

At least everytime I have cycled a tank it has worked that way.

I don't even test the PH until after I'm done cycling anymore.