The Puffer Forum

What are some good ways to raise the PH? As my tank's cycling the PH is dropping; it's now at about 7, need to get it back up to 8ish. I think I've heard baking soda works but I'm not sure...

are there fish in the tank?

nope no fish, tank is still cycling

why worry?

Water changes are the easiest way to help naturalize the water. Any idea what is causing the drop?

The only thing I can think of is the lack of water changes, but then I just did a 50% not even a week ago...

RTR can answer the question far better than I can. There is a direct relationship between Kh and Ph.

This will explain it a little further:
"The water pH is determined by the KH, but readily affected by the acids generated in the tank if they are persistent (tannic acids are). Most acids generated in-tank just burn out part of the KH (you asked by implication, so you get: Every milliequivalent of ammonium oxidized to nitrate eats up two milliequivalents of bicarbonate, HCO3). That is why change in the water profile versus source water is important. It measures how much biofiltration has changed your water, and how good your partials are at keeping up with such changes - which are central to tank stability long term."

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=19691&p=231776&hili ... ip#p231819

So, I need to raise my KH?

your water changes will replenish the lost nutrients in the water, thus effectively raising the Kh.

I think because it is still cycling you are going to see slight swings until it balances.

Again RTR can answer that better than I can.

Roger that, thanks for your input.

Why do u want it up to 8?

And what is the ph of your tapwater?

Yup, Kh determines pH, but KH is used up rapidly in cycling tanks fishlessly. In most ordinary tap water in this country this is not a problem, as the process should not take more than two to three weeks. But if the inoculation was not very big (too small numbers of the two bacterial types needed), and the source water is soft and acid to start with, it can arrest the growth of the bacteria. The normal nitrification bacteria grow best at and above pH 7.5, but do grow - only more slowly down to pH ~6.0. Below that there is little growth, very very slow.

So we need some info on your water:

1. What is the pH and KH of your water after standing 24 hours? Fresh from the tap may or may not give accurate readings.

2. What is the pH and KH of the tank you are cycling now?

3. How long has the cycle been going?

In most tap water, changes are not needed during cycling. In oft acid water, either changes or KH supplements are required.

Have you read "Considerations in Fishless Cycling" from the Library here:

library/water-filtration/fishlessconsiderations/

You might also want to read Aquarium Microbes part 1:

library/water-filtration/aquariummicrobespart1/

We will guide you through the processes if you can give us the water details we need.

HTH