dropping ph Ph keeps dropping with Fluval Stratum substrate

[DuncanRC]

Hi All

I have a Fluval Ebi tank.

 

Typical setup with their Stratum substrate.

 

The tank is planted and has a root driftwood

 

My issue is that the Ph keeps dropping to 6 over a period of a week when its starting out with my Ph 7 tapwater.

 

I have recently placed a fist size lava rock and tested it the next day and Ph went from 6.8 to 6.4 over a couple of days.

 

I was hoping the rock would stabilize.

 

Amonia Nitrites and Nitrates all zero.

 

I use the standard internal filer that comes with the setup but have mini biomax in the large chamber.

 

Tankmates include 7 cherry shrimp and 4 Galaxy Rasboras, 3 Badis, and now 4 neon fry added yesterday.

 

I did start with a dozen cherry and some have passed over the last month or so.

 

Usual's go into the tank like Prime and Stability and monthly Equilibrium.

 

Does anyone think the Stratum is the dropping Ph culprit?

 

 

 

 

 

[chappy6107]

the stratum is meant to drop the ph.  This is a type of "active" substrate that is made specifically for this reason.  With cherry shrimp most typically choose an inert substrate instead.  The ph change may be the reason for the shrimp deaths as well.

[DuncanRC]

If the EBI concept was marketed towards shrimp hobbyists, isnt a Ph of 6 a bit low for the average shrimp keeper?

I would of thought the Fluval EBI product was marketed towards newbies like myself.

Adding buffers to keep the water in the upper 6's is a pain.

Any suggestions other than starting a total rebuild?

 

[dao]

Active shrimp substrates are aimed for caridina type shrimp and pH of low 6 is excellent for them. If you want just a casual community tank with some shrimp and fish, this is a rather poor choice. 

[chappy6107]

if the ph is holding steady and not fluctuating, then I would leave the substrate alone as it will exhaust itself.  If your ph is constantly fluctuating, then it would be a good idea to remove the substrate and replace it with something inert.

[Shrimp Life]

I know its a pain but I would switch the substrate to something like Black sand... (inert) As the ph will keep dropping to 6 for a good while.

[DuncanRC]

The substrate is apprx 5 month old now.

 

Changing out the substrate would be an issue.

 

Since the substrate is only an inch deep maybe I could just add an inch or two of black sand on top and do some aquascape contouring?

 

I did add some crushed coral to the filer today. Ill test tomorrow and see if that has made a difference, however I am adding "Ph Neutral' to keep to water from getting to acidic.

 

 

 

[chappy6107]

10 hours ago, DuncanRC said:

I did add some crushed coral to the filer today. Ill test tomorrow and see if that has made a difference, however I am adding "Ph Neutral' to keep to water from getting to acidic.

 

crushed coral should make it go up & ph neutral too.  I would think these along with the active substrate is going to make it really hard to keep the ph stable.

[DuncanRC]

So far it looks like the coral has done its job....stable at Ph 7 the next day!

 

Ill be checking it twice daily to see any fluctuations.

 

Chappy why do you think I would get Ph instability?

 

[chappy6107]

just because there are a # of things in there that cause the ph to move one way or the other. 

 

I am glad to see that the ph is holding steady at 7.  I bet your cherries and fish will like that a lot better.

[DuncanRC]

So far so good. Ph just at or below 7. My 7g just needed a teabag size amount in the nano filter.