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Re: Subject: Vermiculite/soil mix & PH problems?
>From: The Mermaid <jfredian at pepperdine_edu>
>
> I posted this to rafp, but this might get a faster answer ...
>
> I'm using the vermiculite/soil & small grain gravel mixture
> as substrate on my 40g tank. I was finally able to get
> a high range PH test kit last night, and upon testing the
> water, the PH of the tank was WAY above what my tap water
> and my 10g tank are. The 10g and tap water both read the
> same, at around 7.5 ... my 40g reads ~8.0 (purplish in
> color, as opposed to orangish).
>
> I haven't had a chance to test the soil alone yet (being
> as I pull 100+ hours/week, I'm not home much), but I'm
> wondering if anyone else has had any problems with this
> mixture and their PH levels.
>
> Thanks!
>
> -- The Mermaid
Pepperdine, huh? I live a few miles away in Ventura County and noticed the
same thing with a vermiculite/soil 29g and local water when I started my
tank. I used the black adobe in my back yard for the soil - but i've never
tested it for pH. I have since started DIY CO2 and the tank is 4 months old
but I have not checked pH recently. However the fish are happy and the
plants are now requiring regular thinning.
Paul