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could CRSs survive a 4.2 pH?
4.2 pH
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That's definitely too low.
Are you using a liquid kit or a probe?
Are you using a liquid kit or a probe?
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ended up buying cheap pH probe because API goes only to 6.0. Do you know of any liquid test that will measure in the 4.0 - 6.0? Probe is measuring a tank that is 6.4. Know general causes of low pH? I know I can put some corals to raise the pH, but since the CRS are breeding, etc, did not know if I should mess with raising pH too quickly.
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What's in the tank? Substrate, wood, rock, etc?
Sounds like something isn't calibrated.
Sounds like something isn't calibrated.
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this just confused me. so do you have 2 tanks one with the ph of 4.2 and one of 6.4? i say if they are breeding they are happy and ok. can you give more detales about the set up like are you using a buffering substrate. is there drift wood? i know in my 1 gal tanks i put some drift wood in and in a matter of 2 days it took my ph from about 7.5 down to 5. might have been lower as my kit measures 5, 6,6.5 and in .5 increments after that up to like 8.5 or something. so tank size might play a part. what are the other parameters too that might play a roll in it. have you tested your water right out of the tap and then 24 hours later after it has been setting out to degas? i know my tap can go from PH in the high 8's down to about 7 after sitting a while
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just tested my 55g low tech tank - cardinals, clown loaches, rasboras, lots of plants has large driftwood (which I had removed another several weeks ago). reading at 3.3 using the probe. will do a 20% WC and see new readings.
think my husband has industrial pH meter at work, will have him test all my tanks. this is so shocking.
think my husband has industrial pH meter at work, will have him test all my tanks. this is so shocking.
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I don't think there are any commonly available commercial kits that will measure pH that low.
However, if you can get methyl red, it will bed red at pH lower than 4.4 and yellow at 6.2 (and all the shades of orange in between).
However, if you can get methyl red, it will bed red at pH lower than 4.4 and yellow at 6.2 (and all the shades of orange in between).
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17,154 Posts
You don't have pH of 3.3. Your meter needs to be calibrated. A nice liquid test kit will be fine, as it's doubtful you have pH below what it can read.
What's your KH? GH?
What's your KH? GH?
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5,116 Posts
Your probe should have come with calibration liquid. Even my cheapo ebay one did. Something isn't right. I use one of strongest buffering substrate out there, Netlea and I get down to 5pH. I don't know what could drop it down to 3.3pH. I couldn't even get that low in pure black peat extract when I was playing with peat.
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KH: 1 - 2
GH: 5 - 6
I just received this meter 2 days ago and calibrated using 7.0 buffer today. The only reason I purchased the meter was due to uncertainty of the pH in the tanks below 6.0 per API test.
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since I can't read the Chinese writing and feels more like dry powder that I need to mix - only thing on there is "make up 250ml" any idea if I am to add 250ml distilled water to the powder to get buffer solution. That's why I had some industrial 7.0 soln to use.
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Your fish would be dying in pH that low, as that acidity would damage their gills quickly.
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Yes, mix with 250ml RO/DI water.
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Tank reading 4.2 (lava rocks, aquasoil - this has been the same setup for over 1 yr and only last months did it veer away from a stable 6.2.
Tank reading 4.4 (reg Petco gravel)
Tank reading 3.3 (river rock natural gravel, large piece of driftwood (removed 1 already).
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A ph of 3-4 is vinegar. You need another test kit.
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Tank with 6.4 has Fluval shrimp stratum, cholla wood, bonsai (~3") looking rock, setup approx 3 mos. Eheim 6g
Forgot to add tank of 4.4 = Eheim 6g
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all my cardinal tetras (30) are fine (~1"+), rasbora are fine, did lose a few clown loaches. But I agree, with such low pH, I would expect the fishes to be decimated within a few days.
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How old are the tanks? I've heard that old tanks can get really low pH, but you should have seen some losses by now. You have a messed up tester, that's what.
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I encourage you to pick up a new liquid test kit, as your pH isn't that low. Your fish wouldn't be alive if it were.
With hardness where it is, your pH isn't 3.
With hardness where it is, your pH isn't 3.
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Alright, here's my latest and I am only testing my tank that has the cardinals.
I made up the buffer that came with the pH meter and recalibrated; started with the 4.0, then tested the meter with the made-up 6.86 (pkg did not indicate 7.0). Immediate reading of the meter was at 6.8. So, at this point I feel confident in the calibration.
Tested the 55g (which I did 25%+ WC) and it read 3.8.
I will have the water tested with a professional probe tomorrow.
I made up the buffer that came with the pH meter and recalibrated; started with the 4.0, then tested the meter with the made-up 6.86 (pkg did not indicate 7.0). Immediate reading of the meter was at 6.8. So, at this point I feel confident in the calibration.
Tested the 55g (which I did 25%+ WC) and it read 3.8.
I will have the water tested with a professional probe tomorrow.
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