Freshwater Chemistry help needed!

Getting the CO2 going again has done the trick - pH back to 7.0 and I've added enough tap water to get the kH up a bit to buffer it. Thankfully no more deaths, but I lost quite a lot of fish before getting this sorted - live and learn.
I've put a couple of pics in the photos section Matt - my computer skills arn't up to adding a thumbnail here! Your tank looks excellent Travis, and I agree a well planted freshwater can look just as good as a marine.
Thanks,
Ben.

 

Glad to hear it Ben. Good to know.

Just use this button to add pics in posts:

Your tank:



Great plant tank!

 

thanks

Thanks Ben, your tanks looks real nice as well. Glad to hear you got your ph straightened out.

Travis

 

Just a test

 

FYI in the future if any of you ever have a problem with a Spike in Carbonate levels or sudden upward swing in PH just pour Club Soda into the tank at a rate of 10 oz per Tank 50 gallons and that will pull it back in line add as needed with a 1/2 hr between dosages .. Club Soda should be close by for any reef keeper . Its is just CO2. And Far better then mixing vinegar and water and guessing at strength. Works for freshwater also..

 

Hi,

HI,
I used to have lots of problems with alk drops and acid ph spikes until this PHD, told me to try a little of the crushed coral in the gravel it stabilizes the PH at 7.4 , I thought it would bother my fish but have kept many this way for over 5-6 years and never had a problem with death, Most ph spikes in fresh water usally due to free carbonate completly used up, I used to dipstix for carobonate but the crushed coral worked so well I stopped.
I have usally one well rinsed cup of the FLa crushed coral to 100 gal tank.
It sounds crazy but works for me.
I do use some salt for my south american cichlids most plants hate salt
Doug