pH change (how much is not too much?)

[XRTG]

Dear friends,


I’ve purchased a PH test kit and found that my PH is 5. Then I did a 25% water change and did the test again. This time the PH level is 6.5.

As aros are sensitive to changes to water parameters, is this change considered drastic and will it make my aro sick?

What would be the acceptable range of PH changes?
:)

[Alvin Koh]

hi XRTG,

Sometimes, the immediate readings due to a water change may not be accurate. Allow it to settle before making another read. :) (especially so for test pens)

Also, a change of 1.0 (e.g. from 5.0 -> 6.0) is very high!.. contuary to common beliefs, it actually takes days for fishes to adapt to new pH levels. A modest increase of 0.1 to 0.2 is alot less stressful.

Most tap water are around the range of 7.5-8.0 which could explain the sharp increase as well. If you have been doing this for a long time now and there hadn't been any significant problems. I would advice you not to worry too much about it.. rather than trying to use chemicals to decrease the pH, etc.

Alvin.

[XRTG]

Hi Alvin,

Thank you for your help. So now I know why my aro acts strangely when ever I change water. :) Will take precautions next time.

Thanks