PH question

[Julio1983]

Hi everyone :)

I checked the PH of my tank yday and it was MAJORLY alkaline... like off the charts alkaline... i was shocked because i checked it when i had done my 50% water change on friday and it was 7.3

When is the best time to check the PH?
And is there something that can cause it to surge like that?

Thanks :)

[bahamut285]

Few questions:

How big is the tank?

Do you know the exact number the pH surged to?

How often do you check pH?

Do you have gravel/substrate in your tank? If so, what is it?

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Answering your first question: This depends on if your tank is established or not. If it is a well established, filtered tank, I generally check my pH once every other day at the same time (for example 2pm). If you have a smaller, uncycled tank that requires more water changes, then you should be checking it more often in my opinion (again at around the same time).

Answering your second question: Depending on how much it "surged by", it could be many things. If it went from say 7.3 to 8.2 in the span of a few hours, then there is something seriously wrong somewhere. If it went from 7.3 to 8.0 in the span of a week, then it's not as hazardous as the first example.

[Julio1983]

thanks for your reply...

my tank is 15 litres...

im not sure what number it surged to as it was literally off the chart... on my chart i think 8 is a dark green and the sample was a blue colour.

i normally check it after i have changed his water (while he is aclimatising and before i release him back into the water)

i have gravel in the tank.

my tank doesnt have a filter, but i do water changes twice a week.

when i changed the water friday it was 7.3 and by yday (sunday) it was off the chart.
I checked it again this morning and it was at 7...

[bahamut285]

Do you ever do 100% water changes?

[Julio1983]

yes once a week on a tuesday... and i also do a 50% on a friday

[bahamut285]

Perhaps do the following?

1. Test your tank again
2. Test your tap
3. Do another 50% water change then test again

[Julio1983]

Ok will do... So it's ok to test the tank straight after a water change?

[Myates]

Your pH is fine though, bettas are versatile when it comes to their tolerance of it.. it's more harmful if you try to mess with it rather than leave it be and allow the fish to get used to it.

You can test it, but as it's still in a good range and best not to try to change it.. nothing will keep it up/down - the conditioners you use to make it go up/down won't keep it up/down but for a very short time.. the fluctuation in causing it to go up/down can be deadly.

[Julio1983]

ok great thank you so much for your help :) :)

[bahamut285]

Zzzz fine then, lol, I'm out