Huge PH dropped during tank transfer

[stlcards14]

So from what I've learned through using the tank transfer method is the PH can drop at a crazy rate. What I want to know is does water volume have an effect on how fast it drops? I currently am QTing 4 fire fish in 15 gallons of water and I test the PH every morning and at night before I go to bed. I also have another set up so I can QT two sets if fish at a time but those thanks are smaller and typically I only fill them up half way so in those thanks the fish are QTed in 5 gallons of water. In the larger tanks the PH has need dropping and I add buffer every morning and night after test and so far have been able to keep it at 8.1. With the other tanks I would add buffer and despite my best efforts it would drop to 7.6 in a heart beat. Is the fix to my probes more water volume?

 

[HumbleFish]

IME (others may disagree); fish can handle the kind of pH swing you're talking about. They can even handle a rapid drop in SG. Nitrites/nitrates don't seem to bother them much either.

What they don't do well with is a rapid increase in SG, temp fluctuation or any ammonia whatsoever. And they need plenty of oxygen.

So, when I do TT all I focus on is matching SG/temp, and make sure whatever I'm using to provide O2 has been running for a while. I don't even test for pH.

 

[stlcards14]

Well from what I have experienced is when the PH drops fish such as the pajama cardinals don't do well at all. Some fish seem to handle it better but I don't think it's well known which fish handle PH swings better than others Im pretty much dosing PH twice a day to try and keep it somewhat stable. So far I haven't been able to keep is at the 8.1-8.3 that I desire but my current fish in QT seem to be doing well at the moment and that's all that matters.

 

[Newsmyrna80]

ime (others may disagree); fish can handle the kind of ph swing you're talking about. They can even handle a rapid drop in sg. Nitrites/nitrates don't seem to bother them much either.

What they don't do well with is a rapid increase in sg, temp fluctuation or any ammonia whatsoever. And they need plenty of oxygen.

So, when i do tt all i focus on is matching sg/temp, and make sure whatever i'm using to provide o2 has been running for a while. I don't even test for ph.

+1

 

[Deinonych]

How well are you aerating the tanks? An increase in dissolved CO2 can cause the pH to drop, which would indicate poor gas exchange.

 

[stlcards14]

I point a power head directly at the surface

 

[stlcards14]

Can I store old saltwater from my display tank during water changes and use that for TT? Doing a water change on my display every three days for the transfers seems a little tedious thus the need to store the water. I don't know if this will even help my PH problem but I'm open for suggestions.

 

[Spar]

I point a power head directly at the surface

May be stress as well if the powerhead is even slightly strong in a small tank. Switch to an airpump+stone.

In my TTM setup I have:
airpump
airstone
heater

thats all; haven't lost a fish yet

As mentioned on your other post, i also use water straight from my DT; figure if that water has been keeping my other fish alive so long, it will be good for the new fish too!

 

[appellativo]

Good to know ph doesn't seem to be an issue. This is my fifth time doing TTM on batches of fish and just now for the first time doing this method, I tested the three day old water's ph. I was like, oh crap, its low!! and was wondering if I should acclimate the fish to the higher (new waters) ph, or if I should buffer up their current tank a bit at a time a few hours before their transfer.

I guess I should listen to my own past experience, that the fish have always done fine without my doing anything except matching temp and SG :lol2:

When I did TTM on my tank raised banggai cardinal he tolerated it just fine.

 

[Dmorty217]

IME (others may disagree); fish can handle the kind of pH swing you're talking about. They can even handle a rapid drop in SG. Nitrites/nitrates don't seem to bother them much either.

What they don't do well with is a rapid increase in SG, temp fluctuation or any ammonia whatsoever. And they need plenty of oxygen.

So, when I do TT all I focus on is matching SG/temp, and make sure whatever I'm using to provide O2 has been running for a while. I don't even test for pH.

+2 I have never once checked my ph ever, in any tank.

 

[Dmorty217]

Good to know ph doesn't seem to be an issue. This is my fifth time doing TTM on batches of fish and just now for the first time doing this method, I tested the three day old water's ph. I was like, oh crap, its low!! and was wondering if I should acclimate the fish to the higher (new waters) ph, or if I should buffer up their current tank a bit at a time a few hours before their transfer.

I guess I should listen to my own past experience, that the fish have always done fine without my doing anything except matching temp and SG :lol2:

When I did TTM on my tank raised banggai cardinal he tolerated it just fine.

When I did TTM with the Achilles tang I had, I made new water the night before with the new tank right next to the one I was transferring from. Matched temp and SG and grabbed the fish by hand and put in the new tank without any issues

 

[appellativo]

Dmorty, that is interesting, as I also have never had a problem in any tank that I could attribute to ph

On grabbing the tang, you are brave, don't they have those little sharp thingies on their tail that they can cut you with?? lol Then again, tangs tend to get tangled in nets and flapping around in a plastic container is not great either so hands are probably the best approach.

Here's what NOT to use for shelter in a TTM tank: the royal gramma wedged himself in there so tight! After trying to gently goad him out for five minutes, I finally just shook the hell out of the cave above the water and he let go and came out, no worse for wear!

 

[snorvich]

I have never check pH or attempted to modify pH. Ever.

 

[Newsmyrna80]

Here's what NOT to use for shelter in a TTM tank: the royal gramma wedged himself in there so tight! After trying to gently goad him out for five minutes, I finally just shook the hell out of the cave above the water and he let go and came out, no worse for wear!

:lolspin: I had this happen with a Blenny

 

[Dmorty217]

Dmorty, that is interesting, as I also have never had a problem in any tank that I could attribute to ph

On grabbing the tang, you are brave, don't they have those little sharp thingies on their tail that they can cut you with?? lol Then again, tangs tend to get tangled in nets and flapping around in a plastic container is not great either so hands are probably the best approach.

Here's what NOT to use for shelter in a TTM tank: the royal gramma wedged himself in there so tight! After trying to gently goad him out for five minutes, I finally just shook the hell out of the cave above the water and he let go and came out, no worse for wear!

I only own the blue very fine nets to avoid gill plates and scales from sticking to the net. Tangs can only inflict damage with a swat. I have always handled fish by hand when feasible. Less stressful IMO. My clown tang is the only fish I worry about in the future spearing me if you will...