hrm.... pH shift

[Dakota]

So for the first 8 weeks, my tank's pH steadied at 6.5 at night up to 6.8 during the day. I added fish, and in the last 4 weeks the pH has shifted to 6.2 at night to 6.5 during the day. This shift was gradual over the course of a month so I'm not worried about anything suffering, but I -am- concerned if I should buffer it back to 6.5-6.8, or let the tank naturally steady itself at whatever pH it falls to (as long as there are no large swings). Any suggestions?? Thanks!

[greyhoundfan]

gradual changes no biggie, just so long it stable. what kind of fish are you keeping? do they require the pH level you want to buffer it up to?

[Techknowledgy]

Yikes. PH should be 8.0 to 8.3. Check your alk. levels. They are probably low too.

[Moloch]

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.php

[Techknowledgy]

Good call. Alk and CO2 interactions, if you want to do it more naturally. Yopu can use chemical buffers, but it will not be as stable in the long run.

[Dakota]

Yikes. PH should be 8.0 to 8.3. Check your alk. levels. They are probably low too.

This is a freshwater planted tank. I want the water soft and acidic.... My concern was that I started with a pH hovering around 6.8 during the day. now it hovers at 6.5. So far, no one seems to care.. I just don't want it to KEEP dropping, assuming it will.. not sure if it will.. which is why I asked

[Techknowledgy]

Duh.... see all of tha stuff above..... just fogetaboutit.

[Dakota]

Duh.... see all of tha stuff above..... just fogetaboutit.

huh?