Can’t get pH back up

[MrEnder1103]

Hi! I posted here a couple weeks ago asking why my tank wasn’t cycling. As it turned out my pH was super low, around six, easy fix right? Apparently not, I have tried API pH up and that has not worked and I have also cleaned the sand. I have many live plants of which I don’t know their names other than a healthy population of duck weed and some dwarf hair grass. I am using a heater, an aquarium light, and a filter. I also have a medium piece of drift wood. It is a twenty gallon, does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[wolfen]

check your kh and gh, use enough bicarbonate of soda to bring the ph up to 7.4 - 7.6.
the drift wood could be releasing tanins which are slightly acidic, normally the kh would buffer the ph but if the kh is low then any tannins released will lower ph, also the cycling process can use the kh up and reduce the ph.
kh needs to be 3 - 8, the higher the kh the better the buffering.
gh needs to be 7 - 14, the higher the gh the higher the dissolved minerals.

 

[MrEnder1103]

Sorry for the late response but how do you test kh and gh? Also I soaked the drift wood for a couple days before adding it to the tank.

 

[wolfen]

the most accurate way of testing kh and gh is through liquid drop tests although stick tests will give a rough idea.

 

[MrEnder1103]

I have the drop tests on the way! Thank you, I will update once they get here.

 

[MrEnder1103]

I have the drop tests on the way! Thank you, I will update once they get here.

Sorry for the really late response but our water is super soft and has extremely low kh. I ordered equilibrium/ alkiline buffer and the equilibrium has brought the water hardness up to good levels and I just added the buffer. I have started to put just a tiny amount of water from his cycling tank into his tank so it is less of a shock to put him in. Think 30 milliliters in a 2.5 gallon tub. Thank you so much for the suggestion! Please let me know if you have any problems with what I been doing to fix this problem!

 

[wolfen]

equalibrium is designed for plants which contains high levels of potassium (axolotls do require potassium but not at high levels) and also iron (although axolotls can tolerate a low level it shouldn't be added as a mineral supplement)
for the required salts and minerals use 50% holtfreters + 0.5g/l magnesium sulphate (not all plants will tolerate the salt but the solution will provide to necessary salts and minerals for axolotls), see here for info .. Axolotls - Requirements & Water Conditions in Captivity