Ph

[TeeJay]

Been testing my water daily...my pH has been a steady 7.2-7.4 but when i tested today it's down to a 6.0? I have 3 guppies 3 platys...the only thing that has changed is I added 3 mystery snails. This is a 29 gal tank.

[Colu]

What your kH at if it low your pH will drop due lack of kH 

[TeeJay]

50ppm

[Colu]

That on the low side for guppies lack of minerals can lead to  shimmies bent spine's and other health problems in guppies I would add some crushed coral in a media bag to your filter that will raise your kH and pH I would add  1lb of crushed coral 

Edited February 18, 2022 by Colu

[Intuos]

What is in your tank, substrate and base water (out of the tap)? 

Edited February 18, 2022 by Intuos

[TeeJay]

Before the KH was testing at about 150 ppm...just confused on how it would drop so fast from yesterday to today

Just gravel only the 6 fish and 3 snails. Ammonia nitrite and nitrates all at 0...as well 4 live plants

 

Gh is at 100-200 ppm

[Colu]

It's possible the mystery snails you have added are absorbing most of the minerals in your water lowing your kH 

Edited February 18, 2022 by Colu

[TeeJay]

Not sure if I wanted to add crushed coral would wonder shells help with that as well?

[Colu]

You could use wonder shell I haven't use that product before I no @laritheloudhas maybe she could chime in

[quikv6]

Wondershell can raise GH, but hasn't had any KH impact in my tank, at least.

I recommend crushed coral as well. I have livebearers, and they thrive with higher levels of minerals.

Is this a new tank? (Wondering because you said 0 nitrates)

Edited February 18, 2022 by quikv6

[laritheloud]

Agree, Wondershells raise GH but not KH. Was the tank cycled before adding fish and snails? If it was not cycled, you can expect PH swings through the cycling process, and that makes it all the more important to add crushed coral to your filter.

[modified lung]

Nitrifying bacteria, heterotrophic bacteria, and the phytoplankton in green water all consume KH as a carbon source for reproduction. I've had populations of nitrifying bacteria consume more than that much KH in a day but that was in a bioreactor dedicated to growing them. One or all of these are likely at least contributing.

[TeeJay]

Well I have some me wonder shells on order...they will be here on Saturday..all the pet stores around me are out...do you think it will be ok til then?

[TeeJay]

The soonest I can get crushed coral is Saturday....do you  think it will be ok until then?

[TeeJay]

Got coral and media bags on order they will be here Saturday...and as a bonus I just found guppy babies in my tank...such rookie mistakes on my part...but I did get them out into a breeder box with air going to them.

[Minanora]

I am going to fall back to what was stated previously. What is the KH/GH of your source water? If you were at 150ppm before, you could replenish your mineral to a similar level with a water change. Which will help tide you over until you can add mineral supplement.

Once KH is down, your pH will drop as it loses stability.

Crushed coral will help once you have it. I put mine in my HOB, and I have some in the Canister of my larger tank. It is a slow adjustment, which is fine, and it does change KH/GH faster if the water is more acidic. I would look at your local water source for actual mineral content. If you're using domestic supply, they will have a water report. Which is great for seeing what is impacting/defining your water chemistry. Certain compositions aren't as stable as others.

[TeeJay]

Update...got the crushed coral in my hob last night and just checked the pH this morning. Went up from 6.0-6.4 so a step in the right direction...thanks to everyone for the help. So how often should I change out the coral for fresh?

Edited February 20, 2022 by Uttjrt3