Naturally high PH reading

[OzShrimp]

So i finally got my new master test kit and tested my tank,

my readings were,

PH - 7.8

Ammonia - 0

Nitrite - 0

Nitrate - 5

Due to the reading of ph i tested my tap water and that also tested 7.8. I was wondering what people use for long term p.h adjusting measures to bring it down? I have previously used a product to bring ph down a long time ago however it was a pain in the ass and could never get it accurate much.

I am thinking that my ph level could be contributing to my shrimplet apocalypse, however i dont have a calcium or magnesium test.

I cant afford a R/O Unit atm so have to rule that out.

[Squiggle]

The best thing is to naturally bring it down with a substrate that buffs the PH down, like Benibachi Fulvic, Fluval Stratum or Up Aqua Shrimp Sand but if you can't do that then the next best way is to add some Fulvic Grains, you can get it from either Dean or Jag, not sure what other sponsors have it

[jayc]

As well as what Squigs said, Rain water is another option.

Collect as much as you can every rainfall to add to your tank. It's not a replacement for water changes however.

Don't know how much rain rural NSW gets, but whatever you get is likely to be much cleaner than the Metro areas.

Do you collect rain water ?

Your rainwater tank should be plastic preferably, to avoid metals leeching into your shrimp tank.

[poeticwinter]

is the Benibachi Fulvic, Fluval Stratum or Up Aqua Shrimp release any ammonia if you put small ammount to establish tank? i also have same problem with the ph. i gradually adding fulvic grain seems doesnt help lower down the ph so much probably arround 6.8-7.2. using Ro water.

[OzShrimp]

our rain water tank is metal but all my top ups are done through rain water as opposed to tap so i am airly certain i would have replaced the tank atleast 2 times in top ups and water changes.

Will IAL bring it down ?

[Wraithie]

Im also having some trouble with PH. One of my tanks i recently converted from bare bottom so it has fresh Ista shrimp substrate and half a packet of fulvic grains, and the ph is still sitting at 7.5 even when the water added starts at more like 6. :/

[jayc]

our rain water tank is metal but all my top ups are done through rain water as opposed to tap so i am airly certain i would have replaced the tank atleast 2 times in top ups and water changes.

Will IAL bring it down ?

Do you still use tap water? If you have changed the tank volume of water to rain water twice over, then pH shouldn't still be that high. Rain water has a pH around 6.

IAL should help bring it down, as long as you don't have something else buffering the pH. You'd have to use quite a bit of IAL to bring the pH down from 7.8.

[OzShrimp]

i found a bag and a half of shrimp sand i hadnt used, if i add this will it release ammonia after i wash it or should i be okay ? thinkng of gravel vaccing out some existing and replacing as its over a year ol

[2OFUS]

Is there Any rocks in the tank ?

Most rocks will harden the water and raise ph

[OzShrimp]

only 1 small volcanic rock with some needle leaf on it is all. I thought about rocks when i got the result but remembered i took them all out

[2OFUS]

I'd be very suspicios on the lava rock bro

[OzShrimp]

Is my shrimp sand wont leach ammonia i will rinse and add tomorrow as i want to rescape my tank with some new skulls i got lol

[2OFUS]

Don't rinse the soil it should be added straight in

[OzShrimp]

no ammonia spikes ?

[2OFUS]

More then likely

but rinsing it won't stop ammonia

add it in little bits if u are not restarting the tank

[OzShrimp]

gonna start saving my spare change and get a RO i think to avoid all these issues :P

[Squiggle]

Very good move dude, you won't ever regret it! :encouragement:

[jayc]

Yeah good move with RO. It solves a lot of problems. BUT !!

If you have something in the tank that is raising pH, then, RO water won't cure that.

You have to find the cause of the pH rise. If you don't think it's the tap water, then it's something else.