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I have a four foot planted tank with Discus, tetras and 2 pictus cats. I have had the tank for about 4 years.
Recently I have noticed that the pH swings from 6.6 to 7.6+ within 12 hours or less of adjusting with Seachem Alkaline buffer and Acid Buffer.
I have Plantglo LED lighting, set for 6 hours, and a canister filter. The substrate is a combo of two commercial planted tank substrates, I can't remember what they are called. I don't have decorations or coral or rocks that could cause the swing. I have quite a bit of driftwood in the tank. I have a little bit of algae, but overall I think the algae is under control.
Every week I do a water change of about 30%. Afterwards I use alkaline buffer and acid buffer, at a ratio of about 2 teaspoons to one teaspoon, to get the tank to a kH of 5 (5 drops to change colour in the test) and a pH of 6.6. By the next morning my pH is always 7.6+
I don't have a gH test kit. My pH kit only measures 6.0 to 7.6, so the tank might even be more alkaline than that. My understanding of the chemistry is a bit beginner, but I'm learning all the time. I could get the gH tested if that was significant.
Every week I add 7mls Seachem Aquavitro Fe "propel" and 7mls Seachem Aquatitro "envy". Recently I got some "Easy Carbo" (EasyLife brand, sorry, similar to Excel, I think?) and have been putting in 6mls two or three times a week. I'm not sure if that could cause a problem. My plants are growing ok, but not as well as they used to.
A few months ago I had (?Hex) disease and lost 5 of my Discus, despite treating with Metronidazole and Praziquantel. I only have 2 Discus left, and one looks dark and grumpy every morning, but comes out and looks happy later in the day. I wonder if he isn't happy with the pH swing?
I have been testing the pH and kH several times a day for a few weeks, to try to understand what is happening. I'm losing sleep trying to work it out, and I would love some advice if there is anything I should do differently.
Help please??
Recently I have noticed that the pH swings from 6.6 to 7.6+ within 12 hours or less of adjusting with Seachem Alkaline buffer and Acid Buffer.
I have Plantglo LED lighting, set for 6 hours, and a canister filter. The substrate is a combo of two commercial planted tank substrates, I can't remember what they are called. I don't have decorations or coral or rocks that could cause the swing. I have quite a bit of driftwood in the tank. I have a little bit of algae, but overall I think the algae is under control.
Every week I do a water change of about 30%. Afterwards I use alkaline buffer and acid buffer, at a ratio of about 2 teaspoons to one teaspoon, to get the tank to a kH of 5 (5 drops to change colour in the test) and a pH of 6.6. By the next morning my pH is always 7.6+
I don't have a gH test kit. My pH kit only measures 6.0 to 7.6, so the tank might even be more alkaline than that. My understanding of the chemistry is a bit beginner, but I'm learning all the time. I could get the gH tested if that was significant.
Every week I add 7mls Seachem Aquavitro Fe "propel" and 7mls Seachem Aquatitro "envy". Recently I got some "Easy Carbo" (EasyLife brand, sorry, similar to Excel, I think?) and have been putting in 6mls two or three times a week. I'm not sure if that could cause a problem. My plants are growing ok, but not as well as they used to.
A few months ago I had (?Hex) disease and lost 5 of my Discus, despite treating with Metronidazole and Praziquantel. I only have 2 Discus left, and one looks dark and grumpy every morning, but comes out and looks happy later in the day. I wonder if he isn't happy with the pH swing?
I have been testing the pH and kH several times a day for a few weeks, to try to understand what is happening. I'm losing sleep trying to work it out, and I would love some advice if there is anything I should do differently.
Help please??
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