You don’t have to remove your fish to add baking soda(sodium bicarbonate). Mix the full quantity you plan to add to the tank in a separate container in about 2 cups of tank water, and slowly add small increments about every 10-12 hours. Your fish will slowly adjust to the small changes. This is what I do and have never had a fish get stressed from this or die. It’s really the same concept as drip acclimation which I do when moving shrimp from the breeding tanks to a stock holding tank...
Thank you for this detailed explanation. You also explained why pH raises after a day. This really confused me recently, when I measured tap water immediately from sink and after one day of letting it in a bucket (pH changed from 7.5 -> 8.4).
Came across your video to remember some of my old knowledge as I'm about to restart a dear hobbie of mine 25 years after I had to pause it. Thanks for your time and community help. Only one thing I would have done diferently, "sciencewise", I would have added the different "media" to the same water type (needing 4 tanks, 2 with tap water and 2 with RO water), as I believe RO water does not have buffer properties that tap water may have and that may drastically interfere with the fluctuation of the pH. RO water does not have the same "inertia" to pH flutuation as tap water may eventually have, depending on its dissolved natural minerals. Cheers
I found out that the water where I live has a ph of 8.2. My betta's fins were recieding so I took action fast and I'm so glad that I did my research online, got test strips and tested my tap and aquarium waters while it when it wasn't way too late. I put two organic rooibos tea sachets for 4 hours and the ph dropped to 7.2. Online 4 out of 5 times I found that rooibos doesn't alter the acidity level in aquarium, however since I didn't have quick access to anything else, I gave it a try. It worked!
Thanks a million for the informative video. I have a (decoupled) aquaponics system. I add soluble Humic acid to darken the water to combat algae growth and to lower the PH. It also works really good for attaching micro nutrients for the plants.
Thank you so much for your highly informative video. Helped me a lot. I recently setup a peacock cichlid tank and i had trouble with the pH. Now thanks to your video i know what to do. Hope it helps. Thank you once again. 👍
Awesome video, at last I found a gentleman who explains who to raise and lower the ph n an aquarium. This video is great for beginners as the chemistry can become very complicated if one had not kept tropical fish before. I’ve just checked my ph on my 400 litre South American tank and since I put a very large piece of bog wood in my tank a few months ag, my ph has gone from 7.6 to 6.2 which is very acid. I normally like it to be around 6.5 to 6.8 for my American cichlids. However I also have a 4 ft African cichlid tank in which I have a very large VC 10 Hap, cichlid along with 5-6 smaller African cichlid, plus a large feather fin cat fish and a plec to eat the left over pellet and flake food on the bottom of the tank. The ph in my African is 7.6 which is a little on the alkaline, however I am adding a few pieces of coral rock to raise the ph as this is the type of water perimeters that they like. So yes I agree entirely with the gentleman on with video. An excellent video sir. Thank you for taken the time to explain the difference between high ph ( alkaline, and low ph ( acid ). A great video, well done and thank you sir.
Limestone aquifers also raise ph of well water. The ph down from the hydroponic store says it's hydrocloric acid from natural sources. And a big time fish farmers told me he uses it.
Thanks alot. My tiny Molly just started to have shimmies today and found out they do that because of low ph level. I removed my driftwood and replaced it with some corals. Hopefully this time my tiny Molly can make it.
So I have a 20 gallon aquarium the drift wood decor inside is making it acidic. If I add half a teaspoon of baking soda to the water with the fish will it still be drastic enough to shock the fish.
I have recently in inherited a koi fish pond and I'm trying to figure out what PH level would be appropriate for them to grow and what kind of food I need to feed them thanks
I have a betta with snails in a tank with drift wood, moss balls, and lots of live plants. The pH is average/lowish but the alkalinity levels are very low. I tried putting in some baking soda and that only fixed it for a few days before it swooped back down. This has really been making my fish appear in shock :( Would it be best for me to add in seashells?
Dear I hv cichlid tank it's ph is 7.8 I want to increase till 8.1 so I checked on net, people said add seashell, do you have any idea will seashell increase ph or not
I like what you're saying, but when you say "slightly" as the difference between tap and RO, you mean a difference of TEN TIMES, between say 7.0 and 8.0. That seems pretty big to me, lol. I think some places have a ton of limestone, which is why I've tested the water out if the tap at 8.0. If those strips are actuate.
Driftwood is the best for that . And the tannings are not permanent. After a few water changes your driftwood will not leech into the water but will still help you with lowering the pH in your tank.
Would a water pump still be the same thing for using those airstones? Also if I use a pH buffer solution to rise the pH do I still need to remove the fish?Please reply or anybody else thank you.
Could just befriend someone who already has basic water, like Chicago. Lol. Go with what you have as it's easier, cheaper. And less stressful, I imagine.
You can put it in a mesh bag and put thatbag in the tank. I recommend using catappa leaves. Creates tannins and nice antimicrobial and antifungal properties in the water. Bettas especially enjoy it. It also reduced the pH quite a bit. And PlUS, its natural.
Thank you. I just tested The PH in my koi/goldfish pond and it is low at about 6.0. We are new to having a pond. What would you suggest in this situation? I was hoping to try baking soda, but from what you said that might not be a good plan with the fish in the pond. It is a small 100 gallon pond with a lot of plants and three fish no larger that 9 inches. Thank you 😊
Instead of sodium bicarbonate try to use sodium or calcium carbonate instead of bicarbonate, much less salts is needed to raise ph and can be easily made coocking sodium bicarbonate, there are a lot of video showing how to do it safely.
Exactly what I need to know, nothing I didn't. THANK YOU for making the most of MY time! Much appreciated
The best approach to learning ph I seen on all the internet, a true scholar, god bless.
You don’t have to remove your fish to add baking soda(sodium bicarbonate). Mix the full quantity you plan to add to the tank in a separate container in about 2 cups of tank water, and slowly add small increments about every 10-12 hours. Your fish will slowly adjust to the small changes. This is what I do and have never had a fish get stressed from this or die. It’s really the same concept as drip acclimation which I do when moving shrimp from the breeding tanks to a stock holding tank...
How small of increments do you add at a time?
@@MsVicki73 after premixed and dissolved in approximately 2 cups of tank water, say 1/2 cup at a time. Really depends on how much you feel you need.
@@SirSkippy87 Thank you. I'm using 1 tsp baking soda premixed in 2 cups of tank water for a 5 gallon freshwater tank that I have a Betta fish in.
Thank you for this detailed explanation.
You also explained why pH raises after a day.
This really confused me recently, when I measured tap water immediately from sink and after one day of letting it in a bucket (pH changed from 7.5 -> 8.4).
Same. My tap is 7.3. When it goes in the tank it raises to 8.1.
This was awesome and very well done. Its the smaller channels that have the best content.
Came across your video to remember some of my old knowledge as I'm about to restart a dear hobbie of mine 25 years after I had to pause it. Thanks for your time and community help. Only one thing I would have done diferently, "sciencewise", I would have added the different "media" to the same water type (needing 4 tanks, 2 with tap water and 2 with RO water), as I believe RO water does not have buffer properties that tap water may have and that may drastically interfere with the fluctuation of the pH. RO water does not have the same "inertia" to pH flutuation as tap water may eventually have, depending on its dissolved natural minerals. Cheers
The best explanation on youtube for ph in aquarium. Thank you sir.
I found out that the water where I live has a ph of 8.2. My betta's fins were recieding so I took action fast and I'm so glad that I did my research online, got test strips and tested my tap and aquarium waters while it when it wasn't way too late. I put two organic rooibos tea sachets for 4 hours and the ph dropped to 7.2. Online 4 out of 5 times I found that rooibos doesn't alter the acidity level in aquarium, however since I didn't have quick access to anything else, I gave it a try. It worked!
This is hands down the greatest natural PH video on youtube! Excellent job, thank you.
Thanks a million for the informative video. I have a (decoupled) aquaponics system. I add soluble Humic acid to darken the water to combat algae growth and to lower the PH. It also works really good for attaching micro nutrients for the plants.
Excellent video. Detailed and informative yet easy to understand. Thanks!
Very nicely explained Sir... Thank you so much... Love from Bangalore India
Thank you so much you saved my fish. I had no idea what my ph was rising so much. Turns out it is the airstone. Would have never guessed it.
I was looking for pH balance in my tank. U helped me out. Thanx a lot
Thank you so much for your highly informative video.
Helped me a lot.
I recently setup a peacock cichlid tank and i had trouble with the pH. Now thanks to your video i know what to do.
Hope it helps. Thank you once again. 👍
Awesome video, at last I found a gentleman who explains who to raise and lower the ph n an aquarium. This video is great for beginners as the chemistry can become very complicated if one had not kept tropical fish before. I’ve just checked my ph on my 400 litre South American tank and since I put a very large piece of bog wood in my tank a few months ag, my ph has gone from 7.6 to 6.2 which is very acid. I normally like it to be around 6.5 to 6.8 for my American cichlids. However I also have a 4 ft African cichlid tank in which I have a very large VC 10 Hap, cichlid along with 5-6 smaller African cichlid, plus a large feather fin cat fish and a plec to eat the left over pellet and flake food on the bottom of the tank. The ph in my African is 7.6 which is a little on the alkaline, however I am adding a few pieces of coral rock to raise the ph as this is the type of water perimeters that they like. So yes I agree entirely with the gentleman on with video. An excellent video sir. Thank you for taken the time to explain the difference between high ph ( alkaline, and low ph ( acid ). A great video, well done and thank you sir.
Excellent explanation and real world examples. Thanks
Great video! I'm going to make a little filter bag for peat moss to see if that will help lower my PH, thank you!
OMG the best video on the topic I have seen, great thanks.
Clear, and easy to understand.
Thank you for making an informative video :)
Outstanding video, please keep them coming!
thanks for this, I have tank inhabitants that are more sensitive to many tank and aquarium products, but my PH is pretty low recently.
Thank you CLEARLY explaining PH! This helps me with my PH in my aquarium. Best presentation on RUclips. 😊
Limestone aquifers also raise ph of well water. The ph down from the hydroponic store says it's hydrocloric acid from natural sources. And a big time fish farmers told me he uses it.
Thanks alot. My tiny Molly just started to have shimmies today and found out they do that because of low ph level. I removed my driftwood and replaced it with some corals. Hopefully this time my tiny Molly can make it.
Excellent video. Exactly what I wanted to know.
Hello, how much peat moss to use per galon of water? Thankyou.
Excellent Video!
Well put together video. Thank you very much.
Fantastic tutorial on ph!!!! Easy to understand thank you!!!
Awesome explanation! How can I get rid of tannins but get the PH lowering benefits? Is that possible?
well spoken and very knowledgeable
This video is like a whole class in school not bad
Thank you so much for explaining this. I'm cycling my 10 gallon tank for a future betta but my waters go keeps reading as high alkaline
Very informative 👍🏻 thanks
This was so helpful, thank you!
Well done and great information. Thank you for sharing.
I promised I passed chemistry yrs ago...lol. thanks so much to explained very thorough for us. Awsome video. 👍
Great video.
Great work man, thanks.
thank you for sharing your knowldge, im currently doing a study project, do you mind if i ask few more questions? thank you
So I have a 20 gallon aquarium the drift wood decor inside is making it acidic. If I add half a teaspoon of baking soda to the water with the fish will it still be drastic enough to shock the fish.
Thanks, great video. Very good explanation, easy to follow and very vivid explained with the 2 Tanks :)
Superb Informative Video...Thanks a ton.
Wow this was super informative! Thank you. :)
Thank you for this!!
I have recently in inherited a koi fish pond and I'm trying to figure out what PH level would be appropriate for them to grow and what kind of food I need to feed them thanks
Clear cut information👍🏻, thanks a lot!
Hey you actually explained this pretty well I subscribed
Thank you! Very helpful
super helpful thank you!
I have a betta with snails in a tank with drift wood, moss balls, and lots of live plants. The pH is average/lowish but the alkalinity levels are very low. I tried putting in some baking soda and that only fixed it for a few days before it swooped back down. This has really been making my fish appear in shock :( Would it be best for me to add in seashells?
whats the best way to try to keep the ph from swinging when doing water changes?
Dear I hv cichlid tank it's ph is 7.8 I want to increase till 8.1 so I checked on net, people said add seashell, do you have any idea will seashell increase ph or not
thanks for sharing this video.. it really helps
Interesting! Thank you.
So if I have driftwood in the tank and I do a water change with my water wont that effect the ph?
I like what you're saying, but when you say "slightly" as the difference between tap and RO, you mean a difference of TEN TIMES, between say 7.0 and 8.0.
That seems pretty big to me, lol.
I think some places have a ton of limestone, which is why I've tested the water out if the tap at 8.0. If those strips are actuate.
Easy and useful info
Driftwood sbstitute can i use indian almond leaves...
Yes
One of my mollys has the shimmies, i did water chnaged, had water checked, temp has been staying at 80 heater is preset to 79 any advice to fix it. ?!
This was freaking awesome 👏 thanks 🙏
How long do I have to wait after adding baking soda before I can reintroduce my betta fish to the water?
Thanks👍
So if you "treat" the driftwood by boiling and soaking to remove the tannins then it won't lower the ph?
Superb Video.Thanks Sir.
Very informative, thank you.
great job
Thank you for this knowledge
is there any way for me to lower my pH without adding something that will my water brown?
Driftwood is the best for that . And the tannings are not permanent. After a few water changes your driftwood will not leech into the water but will still help you with lowering the pH in your tank.
You can also use Indian Almond leaves to naturally lower pH levels😊
Great video
Great video👍
Sir, my tank is maintaining a ph 0f around 6. As i intend to raise the ph to 7, will removing the driftwood from the tank will help?
It won't make that big change !
Wouldn't you have to test it to know? Driftwood has tannins that lower it but whether it does a huge change, I'm not sure.
Tap water ph also depends on where you live and/or if you have a water softener.
Correct
Would antlers change ph and if so how
Thanks master! 👍
great video. thanks a lot
very well explained, with that said, do i need to be replacing my driftwood everytime they stop realising tannings?
nice!
Amazing. Thank you sir.
Would a water pump still be the same thing for using those airstones? Also if I use a pH buffer solution to rise the pH do I still need to remove the fish?Please reply or anybody else thank you.
No need to remove fish, but keep an eye on drastic changes of ph level !
Use crash corals in stead of trying buffering the water, easier and cheaper !
Could just befriend someone who already has basic water, like Chicago. Lol. Go with what you have as it's easier, cheaper. And less stressful, I imagine.
Opposite of acidic is basic. Alkalinity is something different
You forgot to mention that baking soda(sodium bicarbonate) will also raise you KH(Carbonate Hardness). That’s what I use it for...
Plain and straight forward. Thanks
Thanks! For info I'm going to get pet moss for betta tank. Ph always high end.
is pet moss those green balls sorry just I have a betta and would like to know what to put in his tank to keep him healthy
@@karenglehart3998 its called peat moss*
You can put it in a mesh bag and put thatbag in the tank.
I recommend using catappa leaves. Creates tannins and nice antimicrobial and antifungal properties in the water. Bettas especially enjoy it. It also reduced the pH quite a bit. And PlUS, its natural.
@@rifraf6135 when I search up peat moss most of the recommendations are of potting soil. Will this be it or would I need to buy the actual moss?
One teaspoon of baking soda adding five galoon of water how many point increase pH
My beta fish tanks ph is at 9.0 really worried
You look like Dr Phil’s cousin: Doctor Phish
Thank you for the info by the way!
well done !!!
Thank you. I just tested The PH in my koi/goldfish pond and it is low at about 6.0. We are new to having a pond. What would you suggest in this situation? I was hoping to try baking soda, but from what you said that might not be a good plan with the fish in the pond. It is a small 100 gallon pond with a lot of plants and three fish no larger that 9 inches. Thank you 😊
This is only half the story. You need to talk about GH&KH which ultimately determines the PH and its stability as a PH buffer.
Gh has nothing to do with ph level Kh Yes !
thank you very much for sharing this information, its exactly what i'm looking
You look and sound like dr. Phil. Lol but the video was very good and informational.
Instead of sodium bicarbonate try to use sodium or calcium carbonate instead of bicarbonate, much less salts is needed to raise ph and can be easily made coocking sodium bicarbonate, there are a lot of video showing how to do it safely.
I can tell he did wait 48 hours because his hair was brushed after
Water .. does not have a ph of 7! My well water is all natural and it’s base line is 8.3 .
your driftwood looks like an alien
He looks like Dr Phil lol
I want to reduce alcalinity in my water naturally apart from adding new water
10000 liter water
I think you can use mopami wood as decor. It's from Africa. It releases natural tannins. It sinks on its own and it's gorgeous.