How to raise ph level?
Im setting up a African cichlid (mbuna) tank. I just tested my water and the ph is roughly between 6.5 and 7. How do I raise the ph up to 7.5? I know I can buy chemicals but they can be pricey. if I buy chemicals would I have to put it in everytime i did a water change? What about natural things to put in the tank? I heard shells and crushed coral? How much would i need (50 gal)? And if u used natural products how long would it take for me to notice the ph change?
Answers & Comments
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I have a shell dweller tank that requires a high pH and i didnt want to use conditioners, so i stumbled upon this in my search
http://www.caribsea.com/itempage_freshwatersubstra...
These substrates are great. They:
maintain higher pH without conditioners and the substrate maintains the high pH African Cichlids need.
You can get various colours and sizes as well.
Hope this was helpful.
Yes, crushed coral will help buffer the water and increase the pH. Shells too, and calcium based rock like limestone or other calcium based rock.
Yes, the mnuba want a pH that is high, around 8.... 7.5 is still a bit low.
No, do not use pH up products as they are just acids/buffers that only temporarily change the pH, but there are nice buffers you can buy. SeaChem makes a nice buffer specially formulated for Lake Malawi cichlids that is a great choice:
http://www.dtpetsupplies.com/catalog/product_info....
Ideally, use a buffer to balance the water before fish, and use crushed coral, etc to keep the tank buffered and the pH high and stable.
a ph level of 7 is just fine. Thats almost perfect actually. You dont want the water to become to acidic. If your going to put crushed corral or shells in the tank you need 1lb for every 10 gallons. So you have a 50 gal so you need AT LEAST 5lbs. BUT african cichlids love to rearrange gravel and build little "nests" if you will for their eggs. so have the crushed corral be 2-2.5 inches deep. Hope this helps
sure, once you've money to burn. Lime is the authorized frame of mind and there is no longer any speedy way, that is going to take some months. you do not pick too speedy a change or the flora will die. bypass to a outdoor middle, a real one no longer large field keep, and ask them what to do.
To increase pH add hydroxyl anions, OH+. Use a base.