Habitat - Indoor :: pH Question

[Stardust]

Recently, I changed my turtle's basking rock to another rock that apparantly contains CO3. I was told that rocks that contain CO3 could make the water pH level jump. This was true on the second day, when I measured the water pH, it was more than 7.5. To deal with this problem, I immediately changed the water and the pH level returned to normal (around 7.0). However, it's been several days now, and the pH level is significantly lower these days. Today, the water pH level is only around 5.9. I keep changing the water to solve this problem, but I am wondering if anything else could contribute to the pH drop, and if it is okay to change the water quite often (like every other day) due to the pH level instability. I don't have any substrate inside the tank.

Thanks.

PS: I cant revert back to the old rock.

[megcornell]

Carbonate is a pretty strong base, so the pH should be going up, not down. When you changed the water did you add anything like the pH adjusters for fish tanks?

What kind of rock are you using- limestone? I'd personally avoid anything that leeches into the water and affects the water chemistry. Why not look into a floating dock? Not only are those safe, but they take up less tank space than a basking rock.

[res08]

Try Seachem Neutral Regulator. I use it in my fish and turtle tanks. It buffers pH at 7.0 and maintains it. It also removes ammonia, chlorine and chloramine.

[Stardust]

Carbonate is a pretty strong base, so the pH should be going up, not down. When you changed the water did you add anything like the pH adjusters for fish tanks?

What kind of rock are you using- limestone? I'd personally avoid anything that leeches into the water and affects the water chemistry. Why not look into a floating dock? Not only are those safe, but they take up less tank space than a basking rock.

Thanks for your reply. Well I don't know what kind of rock it is. I think it is the kind of rock that is usually used to decorate gardens.

No, I also didn't add any pH adjusters. I've noted the pH changes everyday:

Code: Select all

April 20: 7.0
April 21: 7.5 -- 50% water change
April 22: 7.0
April 23: 7.2
April 24: 7.3
April 25: 7.0 -- 20% water change
April 26: 6.2
April 27: 6.2 -- 30% water change
April 28: 5.9 -- 40% water change
April 29: 6.4
April 30: 5.6
May 1: 5.7
May 2: 4.8 -- 90% water change
May 3: 4.5 -- 60% water change

The last 3 days, the pH level is dropping drastically, and I didn't add anything at all. I use tap water for the water change, and its pH level is 7.4.

[res08]

What water conditioner are you using?

[Stardust]

What water conditioner are you using?

Nothing.

[SpotsMama]

What test kit do you use?