pH won't budge

[Verna Gross]

I'm frustrated playing with my pH. Fish are fine, plants are healthy and producing but my pH remains in the 7.4 area. We did a 50% water change out 1 week ago and the pH moved down from 7.6 but no more. Everything else s right on ammonia <.25 nitrite 0 nitrate 40+. Should I start adding stuff to lower it or just wait it out?

[Harold Sukhbir]

Hi Verna,

A pH of 7.6 is just fine for AP, its really not necessary to adjust it. Over time it will stabilize and then start to decline on its own.

[Verna Gross]

Thank you. That's what I thought should happen

[Harold Sukhbir]

Hi Verna,

Water changes should be done only when absolutely necessary. These changes delay the maturity of AP systems. They upset the balance enough to affect plant/fish growth and longevity as well. It hurts me personally, when i have to throw away all these hard earned nutrient down the drain

[Verna Gross]

I agree but we had a major foul anaerobic grow bed condition that had fouled our water