Problems with pH

[Maggie.D]

So, my pH in my tank has been chronically low since I’ve had it. When I got my axolotl, it was about 7-7.2. Then it dropped drastically to 6 (over the course of like a week) and now I have crushed coral in mesh bags to help keep it up, since it hasn’t raised on it’s own in the two months I’ve had my axi. Except when I do water changes (with conditioned tap water that is approx. 8 in pH) the already-7+ pH drops back to 6. Why is my medium-high pH plummeting back to 6 when I’m adding other high pH water into it?

 

[wolfen]

because your kh is low as soon as the water becomes slightly acidic the ph drops rather than being buffered by the kh.

 

[aiden.b]

So, my pH in my tank has been chronically low since I’ve had it. When I got my axolotl, it was about 7-7.2. Then it dropped drastically to 6 (over the course of like a week) and now I have crushed coral in mesh bags to help keep it up, since it hasn’t raised on it’s own in the two months I’ve had my axi. Except when I do water changes (with conditioned tap water that is approx. 8 in pH) the already-7+ pH drops back to 6. Why is my medium-high pH plummeting back to 6 when I’m adding other high pH water into it?

Ah, the mysterious pH plunge! I had a similar puzzle with my axolotl tank. Turned out, my decor was secretly an acid-rock band, always dropping the pH hits. A bit of detective work might reveal the culprit in your tank too. Have you checked your tank's decorations or substrate for anything unusual?