RAC soil users come in.

**noidea** · 3rd Sep 2014, 18:11

Originally Posted by QuintKana

I had similar issue with my previous soil (not RAC) which was only about 3 months old.
I changed the bio media (2 trays) to biohome standard and my PH jumped to 7.3-7.6 (initially was slightly below 6.5).
Added ketapang leaves and sera peat to try to save the tank but all no use.

In the end I had to reset my tank.
Took out 1 tray of biohome, boiled the remaining tray of biohome and then filled half a tray back into the canister.
Reset with RAC soil and my PH is now at 5.3.

Thanks. I suspect biohome increase the pH. I have 5 kg of boihome and 5kg of biohome plus. Hmm........which media should I replace all the biohome.

**Naraki** · 3rd Sep 2014, 22:18

I wouldnt stress too much on the media brand for MY tank. I use brandless CRs. Because in the first place, bacterial activity is limited in our acidic water.

**noidea** · 4th Sep 2014, 13:05

Originally Posted by Naraki

I wouldnt stress too much on the media brand for MY tank. I use brandless CRs. Because in the first place, bacterial activity is limited in our acidic water.

Thanks for sharing.

**noidea** · 4th Sep 2014, 21:48

I have remove all the biohome media from the canister. Now my pH is 6.9. Let see how low it can go. From what I gather from users here and other who use biohome plus seem to increase the pH of the water.

I believe RAC soil is doing it job in buffering the pH lower. I will wait for two more days then I put biohome media back into the canister and see how high the pH will go up.

**noidea** · 5th Sep 2014, 14:15

I turn on CO2 and blast out the water trap in the tube and the pH went down 6.6. Later I turn on the airstone at full blast. Now the pH is at 7.0.

Too many variable to affect the pH of the tank.

**noidea** · 19th Sep 2014, 10:29

I just realised my friend give me the water conditioner also can buffer pH. No wonder the pH won't go down so fast.

Anyway, I just change to ADA soil for planted tank.

**Urban Aquaria** · 19th Sep 2014, 10:40

Originally Posted by noidea

I just realised my friend give me the water conditioner also can buffer pH. No wonder the pH won't go down so fast.

Anyway, I just change to ADA soil for planted tank.

Its good that you managed to find the cause... btw, what brand is the water conditioner that you used? Just for future reference to help to narrow down the possible causes for others who also encounter odd pH issues with active soil.

**noidea** · 19th Sep 2014, 10:44

Originally Posted by Urban Aquaria

Good that you managed to find the cause... what brand is the water conditioner? Just for reference to help to narrow down the possible causes for others who also encounter odd pH issues with active soil.

It is pet fran Ultimate. The label say it also buffer ph. Guess I should have read the instruction and not taken for granted that all water conditioner are the same.

**Urban Aquaria** · 19th Sep 2014, 14:12

Originally Posted by noidea

It is pet fran Ultimate. The label say it also buffer ph. Guess I should have read the instruction and not taken for granted that all water conditioner are the same.

Thats useful to know, thanks for the info.

Maybe that water conditioner could be good for those who are not using active soil but still want some pH stabilizing properties too.

**noidea** · 19th Sep 2014, 15:14

Originally Posted by Urban Aquaria

Thats useful to know, thanks for the info.

Maybe that water conditioner could be good for those who are not using active soil but still want some pH stabilizing properties too.

Agreed. My friend keep koi so he have no problem with this water conditioner.