Airstones changing PH level

[FishLover]

For months, everytime I turn on my air pump, my PH level shoot up. I thought it was because the air pump drove the CO2 out resulting the PH level change.

I finally did an acid test on my airstones. I put them in some PH down and it boubles like crazy! No wonder they drive my PH level up when I turn on the air pump!

Just want to share the information with everyone.

[Merrilyn]

Wow, that's interesting. What sort of airstones are you using. One of our sponsors, Age of Aquariums sells stainless steel airstones. Might be worth investigating.

[FishLover]

I think any sand stone ones arr bad. You will have to test them to be sure.

[quocphu]

I have the same problem with my water PH as well and didnt know who to ask. I have two 150L plastic barrels, when i put in before airstone it the water reading is 7 neutrual, but after i put a big air stone balls into it and bubble for 2 days PH change to ""8"" :shock: , i was shock. But there is something i notice, when i use my VERY OLD air stone to age the water in a 200L Glass tank the PH only chaged to 7.2 only, that explain everytime i change the water my fish stop eating for a while :x :x

I think if the airstone is new it could be bad compare to the old ones. Has anyone use stainless steel airstone which doesnt change the PH, i would love to get a fews :D .

After i found this forum, i addict to discus even more coz i get all of my answers to problems from here, thanks ladyred heaps for helping us out lots and many others too you re all champs.

[FishLover]

I'm now using ceramic airstomes. They don't change PH level as far as I can tell. Cost is about $2.50 each, comparing to $1.50 for sand stone ones. I think that extract $1 is well worth it. After all, we are talking about BIG money trying to bring PH level down!

[Merrilyn]

That's a very interesting experience. Thanks for sharing fishlover.