New planted tank ph drop to 5

[prime]

Hi guys,just started my 3 feet planted. I notice that my ph is slowly dropping to 5.do I need to increase it to 6.5 range? Intending to keep fish once stabilised.thanks

[Griffith DreamWalker]

Yes, many fishes need a PH of 6.5-7 to do well unless you're keeping softwater fishes. In such acidic waters, its also inadvisable to add in any kind if invert as their shell will erode.


What is your tap water's PH? Another thing is that some substrates can cause a PH drop/rise depending on type. Increasing PH can be done with seashells, coral substrate or certain rocks.

[prime]

My tap water ph around 7.5,will try put in coral to up my ph.thanks

[Ingen]

What substrate are you using? If it is substrate that's buffering it should stablize over the next few weeks. Do not add coral chip till then.

[ronald_t80]

I will leave it just as it is as mentioned by Ingen....the Ph level will slowly rise up in coming weeks

[WingCher]

I agree with Bro Ingen and Bro Ronald, do not change anything during the cycling stage, just do water change will be fine. Putting the coral chips will only expend the substrate's buffering capability too.

[prime]

I'm using ADA soil.will let it cycles then.thanks