Re: ph, gravel, and filters

[IDMiamiBob@aol.com]

In a message dated 1/27/99 7:04:08 PM Mountain Standard Time,
pm_evans@yahoo.com writes:

> Based on responses to the list, I conducted
>  an experiment where I placed various rocks
>  and gravel in pie tins with disilled water
>  then tracked the ph.  
>  
>  Unfortunately I got no diffinative answers.
>  As expected the distilled water by itself
>  maintained a ph of about 6.0.  The ph of
>  the tins with other stuff in them were always
>  higher.  Most reached equilibrium between 6.8
>  and 7.2.  However, the one with gravel went 
>  upt to 7.6.  Further the one with gravel was
>  the only one the bounced back to alkiline 
>  territory after I put ph Down in the pie tin

I would be suspect of the pie tins if they are actually metal.  But at least
you are moving along a sound course.  Try it again with glass pie pans or
porcelin/ceramic/china cereal bowls.  I would also say from what you've
described is that the gravel is the culprit.  A quicker test may be to put the
gravel in ceramic or glass bowl and pour mueriatic acid on it.  This acid is
available at the loal hardware store.   If it bubbles, you've found it.

>  
>  I am moving this weekend and can move my fish
>  to a currently empty 20 gallon.  I intend to 
>  replace the gravel in the 45 since it is the most likely suspect.
>  
>  Two days ago I bought some epoxy covered gravel
>  made by Top Fin, I think.  I put some in a pie
>  tin, rinsed it with distilled water, then added
>  some ph 6.0 distilled water to the tin.  24 hours
>  later the ph of the tin was 7.2.  Has anyone used
>  epoxy covered gravel with success?  I am not done
>  with it yet, I am going to add ph Down to see if
>  the ph bounces with the epoxy covered gravel.

The epoxy will seal the gravel away from the water, effectively eliminating
any problems with reactivity.

  
>  The other theme from the responses to the list was
>  peat.  I am thinking of augmenting my UGF w/powerheads
>  with an externel canister filter like Fluval so I 
>  can use peat.  Are these filters quiet?  This is 
>  an important consideration.  I presently get very
>  nice filtration with the UGF and 35kg of gravel.
>  Sould I replace the UGF or augment it?  This is not
>  a breeding tank.  Also, I presently use only plastic
>  plants.
  
You van use peat without running it through a filter.  Just stick it in an old
nylon and drop it in there.  It's a lot cheaper.

>  Thanks for any advice.  Especially any ideas about
>  why the ph rises in the pie tins containing more than
>  distilled water.
>  
Because the metal that the pie pan is made from, is reacting with the very
limited amount of acidity in the water.

Bob Dixon


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