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So, I am cycling a new 120 and researching fish. This will be a well stocked tank in terms of both fish and plants. I read often that the fish I'm looking at are sensitive to pH swings and other parameter disturbances. I have a Python to do changes. We use tap water: its pristine well water with a softener system. Nitrates are zero in my tap water: GH is 6; KH is 10.
My pH has me baffled. I have had a low_tech Walsted dirt 36 planted tank for 3 years, and pH starts at 7 from the tap and goes up into mid 8's w/o weekly changes. I figured it was the dirt, so in the new 120, I've decided to go high tech, hi lights and pressured CO2, with ferts, and I chose an inert substrate this time: Black Diamond blasting sand.
1) Been cycling about a week (no CO2 or ferts yet, andabout 1/5 planted) and testing daily, and pH is again climbs to low 8's between water changes. I even have driftwood in the tank! ??? Anyone have any ideas why my pH spikes?
2) And, also, how am I supposed to do the suggested EI water changes (weekly 50%) without major pH swings that may kill fish?
My pH has me baffled. I have had a low_tech Walsted dirt 36 planted tank for 3 years, and pH starts at 7 from the tap and goes up into mid 8's w/o weekly changes. I figured it was the dirt, so in the new 120, I've decided to go high tech, hi lights and pressured CO2, with ferts, and I chose an inert substrate this time: Black Diamond blasting sand.
1) Been cycling about a week (no CO2 or ferts yet, andabout 1/5 planted) and testing daily, and pH is again climbs to low 8's between water changes. I even have driftwood in the tank! ??? Anyone have any ideas why my pH spikes?
2) And, also, how am I supposed to do the suggested EI water changes (weekly 50%) without major pH swings that may kill fish?