PH at 6.0 Is it too low?

[yeehaa]

Hi guys,

I'm having a constant PH reading of 6.0 and have cycled my tank for about 2-3 weeks. I tested the water with a few red cherry shrimps and a few malayan shrimps. The malayan shrimps seems to do better. Should i raise my PH value or just stick to it?

Suggestions are greatly appreciated! :)

[gr81]

6.0 is quite low. When I used peat, I also had sometime Ph below 6, but not for long time. I advise try rise it to at least 6.5.

[Guybrush]

yes is low.You use the ph at least 6,5.

[yeehaa]

Thanks guys,

So what product is good to raise the PH level? Products from API? (PH up? Proper PH 6.5?)

[Summit MicroFarm]

Thanks guys,

So what product is good to raise the PH level? Products from API? (PH up? Proper PH 6.5?)

I currently use about 3/4-1 quart of heavily mineraled tap water (pH 8) with 4 gallons RO/DI water in each water change. I stopped adding the tap water a few months ago after reading that the shrimplettes have better survivability with low pH, but it caused the females to stop getting saddled/berried, and some of my plants starting dying. The shrimplettes were fine and are doing great. Unfortunately I do not own a GH/KH test kit or I would have checked then AND NOW. I started putting the tap water back in about 1.5 months ago and all four of my females are saddled and the plants are doing much better.

I have heard people discusing MANY products (none of which I have personally tried:embarasse) such as:
Mosura Mineral Plus
Shirakura Mineral additives
SeaChem RO Right
Bentonite/montromillonite powder/rocks
crushed coral
and a few others I don't recall

I am sure you will get a few responses with other members personal experiences. Good Luck:D
PS- My pH is 6.4-6.8
130 Watt 6700k Corallife compact flourescent (10 hrs day)
20 Gal Long
ADA Amazonia
High grade CRS and CBS

[yeehaa]

I currently use about 3/4-1 quart of heavily mineraled tap water (pH 8) with 4 gallons RO/DI water in each water change. I stopped adding the tap water a few months ago after reading that the shrimplettes have better survivability with low pH, but it caused the females to stop getting saddled/berried, and some of my plants starting dying. The shrimplettes were fine and are doing great. Unfortunately I do not own a GH/KH test kit or I would have checked then AND NOW. I started putting the tap water back in about 1.5 months ago and all four of my females are saddled and the plants are doing much better.

I have heard people discusing MANY products (none of which I have personally tried:embarasse) such as:
Mosura Mineral Plus
Shirakura Mineral additives
SeaChem RO Right
Bentonite/montromillonite powder/rocks
crushed coral
and a few others I don't recall

I am sure you will get a few responses with other members personal experiences. Good Luck:D
PS- My pH is 6.4-6.8
130 Watt 6700k Corallife compact flourescent (10 hrs day)
20 Gal Long
ADA Amazonia
High grade CRS and CBS

Thanks Summit MicroFarm for your detailed suggestion. I will do more research and hopefully I can find a suitable product.

[imke_j]

I will do more research and hopefully I can find a suitable product.

Hi
don't forget our library to check: There is a good article on water parameter (http://www.shrimpnow.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=73) by Retardo. Btw: You should check your KH readings also.
Imke

[yeehaa]

Thanks Imke for the link to the article on water parameters. It really helps me to understand PH/KH/CO2 better. :)

[Frank]

Not all the above mentioned products really increase the ph.
Some of them only increase gh, which has no effect on the ph.
You need a product to rise the kh. Mostly those salts doesn´t dissolve so well. You can use "Tetra ph/kh plus" for example.

[Summit MicroFarm]

Not all the above mentioned products really increase the ph.
Some of them only increase gh, which has no effect on the ph.
You need a product to rise the kh. Mostly those salts doesn´t dissolve so well. You can use "Tetra ph/kh plus" for example.

Thanks Frank...
As stated, I have zero experiences using any of the above mentioned products, I just have heard them discussed a LOT throughout many forums. I simply use my tap/well water.
good luck yeeha!:D

[Frank]

I use some the products myself and they are useful.
It´s necessary to supply enough minerals for proper molting.

[yeehaa]

Thanks for the information Frank. Will monitor my tank for a few more weeks and see if the PH value rises since its still in the process of cycling. If it still stays at 6.0 then i will consider about the products available.