Fred Dulley
Member
This cropped up (on another forum ) and people seem certain that nitrates decrease the pH. They say that's why cycles can stall sometimes, so they add bi-carb to buffer the system.
Surely this can't be right? I've never heard of nitrates decreasing pH.
My thoughts on the matter... (this is for a fishless cycle btw)
Any inputs are appreciated (I'm looking at you Clive )
Surely this can't be right? I've never heard of nitrates decreasing pH.
My thoughts on the matter... (this is for a fishless cycle btw)
The tank doesn't get a water change because you're trying to cycle the tank. Inevitablly the nitrates are going to build up as will metabollic wastes and organic wastes from the bacteria. When the pH crashes, people test their water and oh look nitrate is high, it must be causing the crash....false associations. It's the same thing people accusing nitrates of killing thier fish. Some heavily stocked tanks woudnt get enough water changes and fish would start to die off. Someone tests the water and finds that the nitrates are high therefore assume it's the nitrates that are causing the deaths. When infact what else have they tested for? Just assumed its the nitrates and made it "fact".
Any inputs are appreciated (I'm looking at you Clive )