Need help

fackxyouz · 11-13-2012, 11:34 PM

I currently have a 15 gallon tank running on t5 lighting with just a filter cartridges( no carbon). My ph is currently around 7.6 according to the api test solution. I don't really know the names of the plants but I was wondering if the ph is good for the plants i Have now, but heres a pic any feedback would be nice.

**OVT** · 11-14-2012, 01:25 AM

The tank and plants are looking good.
With some pretty rare exceptions, the plants don't care that much about the pH. What you have will do just fine.

fackxyouz · 11-14-2012, 01:31 AM

the background plants were actually only planted for about a week, do you have any recommendations on lowering the ph naturally? thanks for getting back to me though

**mitchfish9** · 11-14-2012, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fackxyouz

the background plants were actually only planted for about a week, do you have any recommendations on lowering the ph naturally? thanks for getting back to me though

Why do you wanna lower the ph if your plants are doing good?

theshadybird · 11-14-2012, 01:42 AM

I agree with OVT. I wouldn't worry much at all about your PH, especially with it being where it is. Unless it were like, 9 or 5, your plants probably aren't going to have any problems at all.

fackxyouz · 11-14-2012, 02:00 AM

alright thank you everyone for the feedback!

**OVT** · 11-14-2012, 02:11 AM

In my experience, fighting your pH is a losing battle anyways.

To put your mind more at ease, the pH will naturally drop as your tank matures, especially if you have some driftwood. If your pH is ~7.6 out of the tap, don't be surprised if the pH in your tank settles around 6.8 - 7.0. When that happens, no need to worry about matching your pH during water changes either, just add water as usual.

fackxyouz · 11-14-2012, 02:17 AM

thanks ovt! I've tried driftwood in the past but it turned my water brown. I did constant water changes but the color always came back. I soaked the driftwood in water for almost 2 months before putting it in the tank.

fackxyouz · 11-14-2012, 02:31 AM

one more question: how many hours of lighting do you guys recommend a day?

**OVT** · 11-14-2012, 02:45 AM

Boiling driftwood helps to remove tannins, but, I personally, like the look.

I keep my lights on for 12 hours - just a personal preference. A lot depends on what light you have, co2 or no co2, fertilization, circulation etc. Try what works for you best and adjust if you start seeing algae and/or poor plant growth.

A small comment: you might want to try a black or silver background on the tank. You can get the background film at any big store (Petco, PetSmart) or LFS and just use clear Scotch tape to fix it to the back of the tank. It will make your plants pop-out more and make the equipment less noticeable.

11-13-2012, 11:34 PM	#1
fackxyouz Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Quincy Posts: 9	Need help I currently have a 15 gallon tank running on t5 lighting with just a filter cartridges( no carbon). My ph is currently around 7.6 according to the api test solution. I don't really know the names of the plants but I was wondering if the ph is good for the plants i Have now, but heres a pic any feedback would be nice.

11-14-2012, 01:25 AM	#2
OVT Carpe Diem (View User Tanks) PTrader: (117/100%) Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: SF East Bay Area Posts: 2,380	The tank and plants are looking good. With some pretty rare exceptions, the plants don't care that much about the pH. What you have will do just fine. __________________ Courtesy Integrity * Perseverance * Indominable Spirit * and Self Control* Tenets of TKD

11-14-2012, 01:42 AM	#5
theshadybird Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: KY, USA Posts: 197	I agree with OVT. I wouldn't worry much at all about your PH, especially with it being where it is. Unless it were like, 9 or 5, your plants probably aren't going to have any problems at all. __________________ "Less bad" does not equal "good".

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11-14-2012, 01:31 AM	#3
fackxyouz Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Quincy Posts: 9	the background plants were actually only planted for about a week, do you have any recommendations on lowering the ph naturally? thanks for getting back to me though

11-14-2012, 02:00 AM	#6
fackxyouz Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Quincy Posts: 9	alright thank you everyone for the feedback!

11-14-2012, 02:11 AM	#7
OVT Carpe Diem (View User Tanks) PTrader: (117/100%) Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: SF East Bay Area Posts: 2,380	In my experience, fighting your pH is a losing battle anyways. To put your mind more at ease, the pH will naturally drop as your tank matures, especially if you have some driftwood. If your pH is ~7.6 out of the tap, don't be surprised if the pH in your tank settles around 6.8 - 7.0. When that happens, no need to worry about matching your pH during water changes either, just add water as usual.

11-14-2012, 02:17 AM	#8
fackxyouz Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Quincy Posts: 9	thanks ovt! I've tried driftwood in the past but it turned my water brown. I did constant water changes but the color always came back. I soaked the driftwood in water for almost 2 months before putting it in the tank.

11-14-2012, 02:31 AM	#9
fackxyouz Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Quincy Posts: 9	one more question: how many hours of lighting do you guys recommend a day?

11-14-2012, 02:45 AM	#10
OVT Carpe Diem (View User Tanks) PTrader: (117/100%) Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: SF East Bay Area Posts: 2,380	Boiling driftwood helps to remove tannins, but, I personally, like the look. I keep my lights on for 12 hours - just a personal preference. A lot depends on what light you have, co2 or no co2, fertilization, circulation etc. Try what works for you best and adjust if you start seeing algae and/or poor plant growth. A small comment: you might want to try a black or silver background on the tank. You can get the background film at any big store (Petco, PetSmart) or LFS and just use clear Scotch tape to fix it to the back of the tank. It will make your plants pop-out more and make the equipment less noticeable.