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I am having an on going proplem and can not get the PH levels up in my 75 gallon tank.
This has been going on for a couple of months now.
I have added all kinds of chemicals to raise the PH, but nothing changes at all.

The Akaline levels are also low and I am starting to worry.
My YBS seems to be doing just fine, but I don't want to take any chances.

I am recently having a problem with the nitrate levels as well.
I have to 90 gallon filter running and the nitrate levels are at "safe" level, but I would prefer "ideal"
I have done two 50% water changes in the last ten days and still high nitrates.

CAN ANYONE HELP WITH THE PH LEVELS/NITRATES???

What is your current ph in the tank? What is your water's ph straight from the tap?
What do you have for decoration and substrate in your tank? Some substrates and rocks can buffer water causing a increase in ph.
Have you done a water change?

The water here in Chicago is rock hard at around ~8.5 from the faucet. There isn't much I can do about it, my fishes and turtle has adjusted over time.

What brand/model of filter are you running? A filter rated at 90 fish gallons is too small for a 75 gallon turtle tank.



Products that raise ph are temporary.

Hi Devilduck,

The current PH is about 5. or below.....according to the stips I am using the color is not even on the chart! ...Straight from the tap it's appears to be about 6 or 7...but again, the same problem with the color not being on the chart.... I am starting to think my strips are bad...... but this is the second batch of test strips so I dont know.

I have garden rocks(the size of river rocks) for substrate(bought at home depot and than rinsed off before putting in tank). I have used these before in a smaller version when his tank was smaller. I didnt have a problem with PH or anything.
The PH is too low from all the information I have read.
I haev done two 50% water changes in the last ten days....
I am also running TWO 90 gallon rated filters...MArinland Emperor with bio wheels..... I really cant understand why nitrates are still high as well..... how do I know if the filters are even working properly???? New filters cartridges inserted as well.
The products I used didnt even work at all for raising the PH.

Get yourself a liquid test, those test strips are notoriously inaccurate.

The high nitrates and low ph sounds like your tank isn't quite finished cycling yet. How long has the filters been in operation? Did you recently do a large water change? Give it some more time. If you have a air pump and air stone handy try letting that run for a couple of days.

You might also want to try shells or crushed coral in your filter, these may cloud your water a little bit at least they will bring your ph down over time.

Devil............ the filters have been operating for about 3 months now.....but the power went out while I was away last weekend..... thats when the nitrates went out of whack..... but the PH has been LOW for a few months now. I have done two 50% changes in the last ten days. (with the attempt to lower nitrates).
No air pump or air stone handy....do I need one?
I have extra catridges in one of the filters filled with carbon -"Ammionia neautralizing blend"....I have two media cartirdiges in ONE filter only.

I have read that certain ornaments and things in the tank can lower the PH..... do you know if this is true??

I will try the liquid test kit instead..... I KNOW my last batch of strips were inaccurate, but didn't think I would be so unlucky as to buy another bad
batch.... :/
I will keep testing and keep you posted on my findings.

Mr. Duck is correct about your filter being undersized. Your two marineland emperor with bio wheels is way undersized for a 75G turtle tank. If your 75G tank is full... see this thread for our suggested filter sizing and media loads for each filter type: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=30145

Please stop putting chemicals in your tank. There's no need and most of them are harmful.

The dip strips as mentioned are a useless waste of money. You also don't need to worry about PH. It will balance and stabilize itself so long as your water isn't too soft. The actual PH number doesn't matter so long as you're somewhere within reason... 6.4-8.3ish. Stable PH is more important that the PH level. If you have a planted tank with pressurized CO2 and the like.... then PH is a different story. For a turtle tank... don't fret.

See the filtration thread I linked in this post and set your filter media up like that. Do a 100% water change to rid yourself of all the chemicals and let your tank cycle.

1. Yes, get a good test kit, the liquid/test tube dropper style like the the API kit.
2. For turtles, PH and Nitrates are not really a big concern.
3. Nitrates are extremely hard to measure and control. Don't be too concerned with the measurement from the API kit, the test is almost impossible to judge. Test the Nitrates in your tap water using the same test you are using for the tank water. Water changes only reduce Nitrates if you are replacing the water with water of a lower concentration of Nitrates. Most tap water already has Nitrates in it. The most reliable way to reduce Nitrates is with live plants (which absorb nitrates for food) or using a slow drip anaerobic bacteria filter.
4. PH buffer products should not be used in a turtle tank, they are temporary solutions and can potentially be worse than just letting the turtle adapt to a steady PH rather than have the PH keep swinging wildly while you try to buffer it. Here is a ph chart comparing the numbers to nature... http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/184ph.html

If you're having trouble reading the PH chart Pridg... there's always this option: http://www.aquacave.com/Pinpoint-Nitrat ... QAod5RiGVw

Just going to add my 2 cents here. PH isn't too important when housing a slider, as long as it is not extreme. Turtles are not fish.

To All,

Thank you for all the information!! You have helped very much.... I will get a liquid test kit.....change out the water again and basically
start from scratch.
The only problem I have is the filters.... I thought what I have was over kill after reading about what filter system to use on "Austins turtle page".....
I will have to run with what I have for now as I can not afford to go and buy yet another filter system.

I have had my turtle for a year now and I honestly didn't know it was soooooo expensive and so much work to own a turtle.( I found him). He was the size of a half dollar....too cute.
I have learned alot and have also grown to love this little creature

If I might ask just one more thing ................
I have been feeding him everyday, once a day... but recently read that, that might be too much.
Is there a thread on this site I can read pertaining to diet?
I apologize, but I am fairly new with this turtle care thing.
Thanks again everyone!!!
Elena