Ph help

[BuddyBonButt]

I added bacteria to my tank and it is currently converting ammonia into nitrite. I tested my pH level and it was around 6.5. Should I perform a water change in attempts to bring it back up and if I should how much of a water change should I do. I have a 90 gallon tank.

Edit: no livestock or Coral, just bacteria. I've had the bacteria in there for 2 days. I just tested for ph the first time today and saw it was low

I have a Fluval Master test kit that gave me the results of 6.5.

 

[The Farmer]

Any live stock in the tank?

 

[BuddyBonButt]

Any live stock in the tank?

Oh, no I should of mentioned that. Just bacteria. Sorry.

 

[The Farmer]

Retest and see if you get the same result.
Take a deep breath and don’t panic

 

[Tbg299]

Before you do anything I would recommend getting a better test kit to confirm that your pH is actually 6.5. I would recommend the Salifert or Red Sea. If it is 6.5 I wouldn't recommend a water change since you just added bacteria. I would add some baking soda solution to get your ph up to around 8.

 

[BuddyBonButt]

Retest and see if you get the same result.
Take a deep breath and don’t panic

Ok I'll do it now, what's my course of action if I get the same result?

Just to clarify, no livestock or coral

 

[The Farmer]

Do you have any flow in the tank? Water agitation with add oxygen to the tank and help raise it up a little

 

[BuddyBonButt]

Do you have any flow in the tank? Water agitation with add oxygen to the tank and help raise it up a little

I have a powerhead and return pump. I have no idea if it's enough though

 

[The Farmer]

What bacteria did you add to your tank?

 

[BuddyBonButt]

What bacteria did you add to your tank?

3 32 oz bottles of fritz zyme 9

 

[The Farmer]

What salt are you using

 

[BuddyBonButt]

What salt are you using

Red sea coral pro black bucket

 

[The Farmer]

Have you retested yet?

 

[BuddyBonButt]

Have you retested yet?

Yes 6.5 again

 

[The Farmer]

I just researched you test kit and it seems like others are having ph issues with the same kit. If you have a LFS (local fish store) near by take a sample up there and ask to have it tested for you

 

[bestfishes]

i doubt its really 6.5 based on your salt mix and what you said. Thats gotta be something with the test kit. Another trick to get PH up. Add extra air at night when the lights are off. I turn my skimmer on when the main tank lights go off and it keeps my PH very stable. I learned a lot from this article on PH and its management. http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-03/rhf/

 

[BuddyBonButt]

i doubt its really 6.5 based on your salt mix and what you said. Thats gotta be something with the test kit. Another trick to get PH up. Add extra air at night when the lights are off. I turn my skimmer on when the main tank lights go off and it keeps my PH very stable. I learned a lot from this article on PH and its management. http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-03/rhf/

Ok I'm gonna call my LFS and ask for a refund. I don't want to spend 44 dollars on a kit that isn't reliable. What kit should I get then?

 

[bestfishes]

Salfert and Hanna are relatively easy to use and tend to be more reliable. Like the farmer noted, take a sample to your lfs and show them the issue.

 

[BuddyBonButt]

Salfert and Hanna are relatively easy to use and tend to be more reliable. Like the farmer noted, take a sample to your lfs and show them the issue.

Yeah might pick them up. Discovered my pH kit was way bad

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

pH 6.5 is highly unlikely if the water is aerated, and if it is accurate, aeration and normal alkalinity will solve it.