PH level of ADA Amazonia 1

**Ashkenaz** · 13th May 2010, 08:09

Hi bros,

I wanted to check if it's normal to get ph 6.8 from new ADA 1 substrate? I'm cycling a new 3ft tank using ADA 1 and I'm getting ph 6.8. Used to get ph 6 for my existing 2ft tank.

Grateful for any comments, please. Thanks

**Shadow** · 13th May 2010, 09:05

anything that may cause the pH increase? like stone, sand, etc

**Ashkenaz** · 13th May 2010, 09:19

Hi Shadow,

The tank is empty with just water and ADA. I have under gravel filter driven by air pump. Understand that air can raise ph but should be marginal right? In addition, I added activated carbon into the tank to help clear the water. Thanks.

**Shadow** · 13th May 2010, 09:44

Wild guess, unless your soil expired (not sure have expiry date or not

), it is probably due to activated carbon. The low pH with ADA soil during setup is due to nitric acid. Nitric acid is reaction from ammonia. Since activated carbon absorb ammonia, nitric acid production would be less thus pH increase.

Once again it is just a guess, may totally wrong ...

**kelvin** · 13th May 2010, 11:07

Hi,
Could it also be due to your tap water being quite hard? Also, could it be that you introduced the water very well, causing little acid to have leached into the water channel?

**nasty12** · 13th May 2010, 11:17

Originally Posted by kelvin

Hi,
Could it also be due to your tap water being quite hard? Also, could it be that you introduced the water very well, causing little acid to have leached into the water channel?

cant be.. notice he's using for his 2ft tank and its .. 6?

bro is your soil new? and how thick did you lay the soil?

**Ashkenaz** · 13th May 2010, 12:47

The substrate is new. Bought from colourful. The depth of the substrate is around 5cm. I will remove the activated carbon and test again.

Hope I could find the source of the issue else I will consider changing the substrate. But the thought of changing the substrate and cycling worries me and my wallet.