Topic: Alkilinity, the scourge of my tank

[Kaylithin]

So I have a small 2.5 gallon betta tank that has been having all kinds of pH trouble. It's not really a classic pH crash...rather, it keeps becoming more alkaline. I'm really at a complete loss as to why. I adjust the ph  in the new water every time I do a water change. If anyone can figure this out, I would be much obliged.

Here is what I currently have in the water-
-aquarium ornaments...all of which are meant for aquarium use
-aquarium gravel
-Pazuzu, betta architect of vast bubblenests
-some plants...java moss and the like
-NitroBan
-Prime
-Aquasafe
-little bit of aqarium salt
-almond leaf extract (if anything, this ought to make it more acidic)
-Jungle liquid ph decreaser

[RinsMom]

Often, using a product to change pH causes more problems than good......

What is the pH of your water to begin with?  Most fish can adjust to your tap water, within reason.

[wendyjo]

^ Agreed.  And it seems like you have alot of chemicals in such a small tank.  Unless your Ph is crazy out the tap I'd just use conditioned tap water in there and call it a day.

[Yipee]

-NitroBan
-Prime
-Aquasafe
-little bit of aqarium salt
-almond leaf extract (if anything, this ought to make it more acidic)
-Jungle liquid ph decreaser             

Try to keep things natural and use some driftwood instead.

[Kaylithin]

The water around here is very, very hard...off the indicator's chart, even. I suppose I could try buying a gallon of spring water instead, but that's not very environmentally friendly and I like to keep up with that kind of thing.

Driftwood, eh? Hmm. What kinds would be good?

[RinsMom]

My pH is typically around 8.2 to 8.4 ...... limestone rich area!  I had bettas for several years, and they did just fine.

[Pam]

So many chemicals and here I go suggesting another one however you should be able to get rid of some of the others at the same time.

According to the instruction from Jungle if using Jungle pH Decreaser you will need to use Jungle pH Stabilizer to maintain desired pH.
I only mention this because I do not see the product listed on your above list.
I have been reading up on pH buffers and such and have read usually there are two chemicals involved (decreaser and stabilizer) when micromanaging or adjusting your pH, which you are trying to do, rather then just one. If one one is used you will see exactly what you are seeing at the moment, your water will re adjust back to its natural state.

Prime and Aquasafe are they not both tap water conditioners? I would choose one such as Prime and stop with NitroBan and Aquasafe, as long as the water is changed regularly, the java moss should soak up any nitrates.

Not sure what the salt is for, but I have no experience with Betta. Perhaps it is need for something the Prime is not providing?

If you are able to correct the pH by combining the Jungle Decreaser and Stabilizer, I would remove the Almond Leaf Extract also.

So if using Prime to detoxify your water and add slime coat protection first, then use Jungle Decreaser and Stablizer to adjust the pH to the desired level. You really should be good to go.

Hope this helps.

[LittlePuff]

I'm for not adding chemicals to the water. Just use water conditioner and leave it alone.

[Santaaa]

Go to your local garden store and get peat pellets. Put the pellet in water and then let it grow break the pellet apart and squeeze it to get rid of the water. Then add the pellet to a filter media bag and add it to your filter or directly into your fish tank. You could always hide it in an aquarium decoration or behind plants. If you have an HOB filter just put it in there in a filter media bag. Problem solved. I have to raise the KH in my tank by adding baking soda but it raises the PH as well. Then I have to add a peat pellet or Tetra's blackwater extract to the tank. The reason that I add baking soda is the KH stabilizes your PH most people do not have to worry about it but I do because my water is junk unless I fix it and it will kill my fish if I leave it alone. With adding the baking soda then the peat pellet or blackwater extract it keeps the PH from crashing and the water's PH is down to where I need it to be for the fish to do well.  I recommend the peat pellet as it softens the water and does not need replaced very much if at all. I have yet to replace one and mine still do good. The blackwater extract has to be added at least once a month back to the whole tank and with every water change you have to add it to the new water. It is cheaper with peat pellets. It is a common thing to use for killifish so I would check out aka.org as they are killifish nuts and will be able to tell you what they do to soften the water. They mostly just add a peat pellet to the tank or the filter.