Is your aquarium pH level off the normal level? If so, what do you do about it? Fish Tank pH levels, like any water chemistry problem, can usually be fixed with chemicals. The only problem is that these chemicals have side effects and they sometimes cause more problems than they help.
What Aquarium pH Level Should I Keep?
First, let’s take a minute to learn a little bit about your aquarium pH. You fish tank water has a pH measurement of somewhere between 0-14. A measurement of 7 is neutral, 0 is the most acidic, and 14 is the most alkaline. I won’t bore you with any more chemistry. You can pick up an aquarium pH meter or test kit if you do not have one already to give you your tanks reading. The target range for most freshwater fish is 6.5-7.5. There are exceptions to this rule, so it is wise to read up on you specific fish species.
How Do I Adjust My Aquarium pH Level?
It’s important to realize that your fish will adapt to small fluctuations of pH. The small changes within the 6.5-7.5 range are nothing to worry about. If you see your levels falling outside of the optimal range you will want to address the problem. As I said before, there are chemicals available that will either lower or raise your pH level.
How to Raise Your Aquarium pH
To raise your aquarium pH I would first try a couple of water changes. Many times this will do the trick before introducing chemicals. If you see no change after a couple weeks of these changes, you’ll probably need a pH raising chemical
Be Careful with Lowering Your Aquarium pH
Lowering your aquarium pH is the trickier of the two. Here’s the problem with using chemicals to lower your fish tank’s pH levels. Most of these pH lowering products are phosphate based and have a huge side effect on your fish tank. They promote algae growth which can be more difficult to get under control than pH. All I am saying is be careful and use these chemicals sparingly. It would also be wise to first try some more natural ways to lower your fish tanks pH.
Some Safe Ways to Lower Your Aquarium pH
There are some alternatives to chemicals to lower you tanks pH. Adding driftwood or bogwood to you tank can have a lowering effect. Pumping CO2 through your tank can lower you aquarium pH. Make sure your aquarium gravel is neutral. Crushed corals and other substrates can raise you aquarium pH. Using peat to lower your aquarium ph has also proven effective.
10 responses so far ↓
1 rosa hume // Nov 1, 2007 at 4:16 am
pleese give me the name of a neutral gravel, and besides a fish pet shop where else can I find driftwood, bogwood and peat? Thanks!!!
2 Eric // Nov 2, 2007 at 7:19 am
Hi Rosa,
Pea gravel is neutral substrate. Just check the bag if you are buying your substrate from a fish retailer. As for where to find the other, there are many online shops that sell those things. I would be careful buying decorations that are not aquarium ready. Take a look here for a few more notes. http://www.fishtanktutor.com/is-aquarium-driftwood-really-a-smart-choice
3 BEN // Nov 23, 2007 at 7:25 pm
Hi There;
I have a PH level of 5 in my aquarium and find that my aquatic plants keep dying. I read that the best PH level is between 6.5 - 7.5. Is there a natural way i can raise the PH level in my tank? I really would like to avoid chemicals. I am starting to carry out more frequent water changes and am hoping this willl cure the problem. I have heard that adding a small amount of lemon juice will increase the water PH level, is this true? Looking forward to your response! Thanks
BEN
4 Eric // Nov 26, 2007 at 9:55 pm
Hi Ben,
Haven’t heard of or tried lemon juice. Adding baking soda will push your pH towards equilibrium. Try 1/2 teaspoon per 25 gallons of water at a time. Wait a week to test again before adding any more. Don’t forget that baking soda is still of course a chemical. The problem is that your are working with chemicals, so it will take some sort of chemical to move the values.
5 Bill // Jan 26, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Hello,
I have a 29 gal tank with cichlids in it. My tank water ph is above 7.5.My test kit only goes to 7.5 so I don’t know the real ph level . Should I lower it? My tap water is above 7.5 also. My fish seem to be ok, I have read that cichlids like it around 7 or a little lower.I have also read that most of the cichlid that you buy from the store are use to having a differnt ph than what they have in the wild.
Thanks,
Bill.
6 chloe // Jan 27, 2008 at 6:48 pm
heyy,
i have a 20 gallon tank with 2 mollies,2 gouramis,and 4 red wags and my ph is at 7.8 and i can’t find a natural way to lower my ph. please help me please!!
7 Eric // Jan 28, 2008 at 10:26 pm
Hi Bill.
Most Cichlids can handle a range of up to 7.5 or so. It depends on the particular species. You should probably do a little research on each fish that you have. Filtering through peat moss will help lower your pH if you are concerned that it is higher. You should be able to find peat moss at your local fish shop.
8 Eric // Jan 28, 2008 at 10:29 pm
Hello Chloe,
Peat moss is the best natural way to lower your pH. Just put it in a media bag and add it to your filter. You’ll have to test the amount. Just test often to watch for change.
9 Samantha // Apr 1, 2008 at 11:39 am
I have two mollies, two tetras,and a plecostamus in a 20 gallon tank. We have tried the dissolving tablets to correct ph and we have tried the liquid. it just seems to make our tank cloudy and destroys our filter. We have a drift wood, but we are still soaking it (as the directions stated). Is there anything i can do to fix this problem? thanks
10 Eric // Apr 5, 2008 at 9:37 am
Samantha,
Is it too high? That’s most common. If so, try peat moss. Take a look through the comments above for preparation tips.
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