In my QT tank my pH is 8.0 and in my Main tank the pH is 7.6. Will this slight difference be very harmful? If so how do I raise the pH in the Main tank to 8.0. Baking Soda? How much? All my tank are 8.0, why is this tank 7.6? Is there a reason why its lower? Thanks for any info.

Hi,

I'd guess that the pH in your main tank is being dragged down by the nitrogen cycle. Could you test the pH of your tap water, and perhaps get a KH test for tap and tank water? With these two tests, we can see if your tap water has enough pH buffering from carbonate hardness (KH).

Once we have a bit more info, we can see if it's possible to tinker pH/KH with baking soda.

I don't know if your fish would be affected by a sudden drop from 8.0 to 7.6, but I think it might be better to err on the safe side.

Do post back.

Slugger

I agree with slugger

also the method of cycling could be a reason

Even a difference of a tenth in pH is a HUGE change! It is very important. BUT - are you moving fish between the two tanks? Once the pH remains steady, no matter where it ends up, the fish will adjust and thrive. It should make little difference what the tank is at, as long as it remains within a certain parameter and it remains steady.

If you have to move a fish from one pH to another, you can acclimate it by adding in the new water a cup at a time and slowly introduce the fish to the new pH.

thats is what I always do with my fish...gradually add the water that is different in pH or temperature

Yeah, that is what I did, thanks.

NOw I am just having trouble with nitrites. Everything was perfect when I added the fish: ammonia 0, nitrite 0 and nitrate 5. So I thought it was cycled ( I used that cycle product), but now after a week I tested again and my nitrite is at 1.0! My ammonia is 0 and nitrate is 5 still. I guess it wasn't fully cycled? I really do not trust this cycle product.

ANyways, so I added gravel from an established tank ( should have done that sooner but I'm kind of slow lol) and I am hoping it will get down soon! My QT tank is cycling now (before I was just doing large water changes), so really I have no place to put the fish.

They are tropicals ( I test out everything with them lol, wouldn't dare do this with Gumbo:) ). One of my poor little cories is sick, so I feel really bad..I just really wasn't expecting a nitrite spike!

How long do you think it will take to get it down? Should I be doing large water changes? I am scared if I do large water changes it won't cycle, I will just be removing it instead of letting it convert to nitrate...will it still cycle into nitrates if I do the large water changes? I HATE CYCLING!!! lol i'm so impatient..

Thanks

Yea, I'd do partial water changes to keep it lower till the biofilter bacteria catch up.