Anyone using ADA Amazonia II?

[beetroot]

I still have slight pH swing without the coral chips. So was thinking of increasing the kH -- went to the shop and asked if they sell "dolomite" as cobalt99 suggested. They looked at me puzzled, haha. So I said it is used to increase kH and was shown to some bottled powders labelled "kH +", which I had already seen earlier. But am not sure what these are made of, chemicals? That brand didn't state ingredients, while others are salt. In the end, didn't get so back to coral chips!

The shrimps seem to be enjoying feeding on the coral chips. Then all their poo poo came out white .

[Loopy]

White poop! That's real cute

Yes what you are looking for is KH Up, KH + or KH Powder, I have 3 variants lying around my house. Also get a KH test kit (sorry if you already wrote that you have one in this thread)

My hardness is 4~5 and does not impact the inhabitants.

[mozaqua]

Thank you, cobalt99.

My tank pH is pretty alright now, I think. I am relying less on the coral chips now, although once in a while, may soak them in the tank for a little while. Noted on the calcium. Coral chips provide calcium, right? So sometimes I will soak the coral chips outside and there will be bits of white powder stuff left behind by the chips in the water, then I will pour a little of this water with the white bits into the tank. Learnt something about kH and about using egg shells too from your posts, thanks. Oh, no resin in filter .

qngwn -- yes, have been changing water quite a number of times since starting the tank, and past two weeks, been changing about 30% every 2-3 days.

I think leaving some form of Calcium in the substrate is fairly stable. It will only be released if the PH drops too much, otherwise it does not pollute the water. I have mixed some egg shells in the gravel of my aquarium in the past, and saw no negative effects from doing this. The plants grew great, and the PH was stable. You can also bury it under the substrate a bit so the shrimp don't need to eat it directly . This will make the calcium release slowly and more gradual, which is probably what you want since your source water is very soft.
Oh, once your aquarium is established and the nitrogen cycle is working properly. It is better not to change the water so frequently. Allow some water to evaporate naturally, then replace it. It is probably not necessary to change any water more than once a week in an established tank.
This may also improve the hardness, because the minerals are not exported by water changes.

Regards,

[beetroot]

Thanks Loopy and cobalt99.

Noted. Not doing so many water changes anymore as I see that my tankmates have sort of settled down nicely.

[PlAnTaNoOb]

Set up is 3 weeks old, but I am very surprised the pH is so super low. Really haven't a clue what's going on . Am holding back introducing fauna. I really got a shock when i saw the tested water is red/orangy. Initially, I too, thought the pH tester was not working as I tested a few times. Then I tested with my existing tank water - tester turned green, so it's pH about 6.5. Then I tested with salt water - turned blue-ish green, definitely alkaline. So tester is working.

And then, I bought a bag of coral chips and put it in the tank, after a few (many) hours, tested water - pH got to about 6.5. Took coral chips out... left as it is overnight, tested water and again back to red .

Really need help. Tank also has some java moss, moss ball, cabomba - all these from old tank; and taiwan moss, a wood tied with fern & freshwater seaweed (subwarxxxx something, i think) and a few strands of plant which i don't know the name - looks a bit like hornwort/cabomba but reddish in colour. What is causing the low pH?

Hello my purple friend,

I had the same problem of having water so acidic, it literally dissolved away the shells of all of my nerite snails over time. Shrimps weren't too happy either. What I did was to add coral chips to the filter and leave it inside. The last time I checked, pH was around 7.0. Now shrimps and snails are both crawling around the tank actively, so I guess the problem's fixed. Give it a try and add those chips to your filter instead.

[EddyTing]

From all my readings in this forum, looks like there's no way that the water is going to improve without coral chips even through time and water changes, is that right?

[beetroot]

hello Sean and Eddy

Well, coral chips and water changes do help, but am happy with using coral chips and not changing water too often.

i was away for about 10 days, came back and the pH was down to pretty low again without corals chips... whoopsy! but luckily the shrimps, fishes and snails are still alright and swimming around looking for food. yup, heard that putting coral chips into the filter helps, but unfortunately my filter is too tiny to fit corals chips. Anyway, a friend told me not to be too worried about the pH; but I’ll try to increase the kH for long run.

[EddyTing]

hello Sean and Eddy

Well, coral chips and water changes do help, but am happy with using coral chips and not changing water too often.

i was away for about 10 days, came back and the pH was down to pretty low again without corals chips... whoopsy! but luckily the shrimps, fishes and snails are still alright and swimming around looking for food. yup, heard that putting coral chips into the filter helps, but unfortunately my filter is too tiny to fit corals chips. Anyway, a friend told me not to be too worried about the pH; but I’ll try to increase the kH for long run.

Hi beetroot,
Thanks for the update. But one thing I'm curios, why is that my first tank is alright and the second tank go chaos?I'd prefer it to be stabilized by itself without using coral chips. That would make me feel safer to put in my CRS (that's the main purpose for my second tank).Any way bros out there know how to achieve such condition without coral chips?

[beetroot]

Oh.. your first tank is using ADA Amazonia II as well, and ok? But second tank's pH is swinging like mine? Hah... I'd love for it to stabalise by itself too, as I do get worried for my faunas. My tank's 2-month old already but still....
Some forum bros and sisters here have given some tips, like increasing the kH. Perhaps they would like to know what you have in your tank too, to help.
All the best to us... hehe.

[EddyTing]

Oh.. your first tank is using ADA Amazonia II as well, and ok? But second tank's pH is swinging like mine? Hah... I'd love for it to stabalise by itself too, as I do get worried for my faunas. My tank's 2-month old already but still....
Some forum bros and sisters here have given some tips, like increasing the kH. Perhaps they would like to know what you have in your tank too, to help.
All the best to us... hehe.

Ya, weird right? Anyway, my nano tank is cycled with mr Aqua ceramic rings and has only 2 DW and 2 stone (formed after volcano explodes ), sorry, all the sudden can't remember the name of the stone....

[beetroot]

After two and a half months.... hahaha....
The pH is finally stable.
No need for coral chips anymore .
Really took a while but now...

Eddy, hope yours is ok too now .

Me... still using the same test kit, not spoilt ... hehehe...

Thanks to all for your help.

[EddyTing]

After two and a half months.... hahaha....
The pH is finally stable.
No need for coral chips anymore .
Really took a while but now...

Eddy, hope yours is ok too now .

Me... still using the same test kit, not spoilt ... hehehe...

Thanks to all for your help.

Hey, not fair, not fair...mine not ok yet. Just measured 2 days ago and the PH is still at 5.5. Maybe I'll just have to wait longer. Thanks for your concern though. And congrates on your success beetroot.

[beetroot]

Don't worry Eddy, i guess patience's the word . How old is your set up now? Mine did take a while, so just wait a little longer.

[EddyTing]

It's almost 2 months already..... But ya, I'll just wait with patience. No choice...my CRS just need to wait till then.