Raising My Ph Safely

Question
QUESTION: I have a one gallon freshwater aquarium that houses one betta. I know that
this is not the best environment for him, but I had to move him from a 10
gallon that was disease filled and I am in the process of setting him up a new
20 gallon, just as soon as I get the Bio Spira.  His ph keeps dropping and is at
6.2 right now.  I am trying not to make too  many quick adjustments.  What
should I set the ph of the new 20 gallon at and how do I safely raise the ph of
his  one gallon to match that?

ANSWER: There are several wonderful products which will raise the pH. They are usually only 5-6 dollars and work pretty well. There is also a product, not sure of the name but it is available in major chain stores, this product raises the pH to a neutral 7.8, which is neutral for most tropical freshwater fish. I have heard to use baking soda to raise the pH and I use that in my saltwater aquarium but I have never tried it in a freshwater tank so I would advice just using the products specially made to raise freshwater pH. When you use these products they raise the pH safely and reduce the risk of stress on the fish. Use the same product in your 20 gallon and make sure it matches. If you have a filter and heater in the 1 gallon that would be a wonderful hospital tank for those new fish you want to add and this would help avoid diasters as you explain, but I am guessing that is why you had it in the first place. Keep it running and quarantine the fish before you add them to the set up 20 gallon, works very well to limit the possibility of disease. Its pretty easy to raise the pH just as long as your get the right product, dont skimp get a good brand like mardel, just an idea for a brand but there are several great other brands. But do avoid the tabs and quick cheaper products, they may work for a few days but will not work for longer periods. There are several powders and/or drops which work well. Hope this helped. Let me know if you need more help and good luck on the new tank.
         Rachel A.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I am having trouble getting the ph of the one gallon UP.  It just keeps rebounding and is way too low @ about 6.0. I have made 25% water changes to it 2 days in a row now and have never let it go more than 3 days when I do the changes because of the presence of ammonia.  At one point, about 4 days ago now, my girlfriend used a phosphate buffer (I am just now finding out about that)that is suppose to buffer the water to 6.5.  I do have a product called "7.0 Proper" that almost instantly buffers the water to 7.0. I am trying not to make  to  abrupt of a change and am worried that I'll check 12 hours later and all of a sudden the ph will be alkaline.  What am I missing or not doing right?  My bet

Answer
Well, one of the problems with the gallon tank is the ammonia, it can keep the pH off, low or high. Your girlfriend is right, a buffer is what eventually buffers the pH to the right level. If your water doesnt have the buffering level required for the pH, the pH wont be where is should. I would imagine a gallon tank would be super difficult to get and maintain at the correct pH. Have you had more success with the bigger tank? If so, when you want to add the fish to the big tank just add him slowly and he should adjust to the new conditions. Put him in a plastic container big enough for him and some water and secure it above the big tanks water line and let the temp acclimate for 5 minutes. Than pour a shot glass amount of the big tanks water in to the container and wait 2 minutes, approx. Than repeat, not overflowing the little container but slowly adding the big tanks water to the container which acclimates the fish. Also, the water changes may be good for the ammonia managing but it causes problems with the pH and is the most likely issue. Let me know if you have any more questions, hopefully you big tank is stable and you can soon move the fish to the big tank. Feel free to ask me anything more your need. Hope I have helped you some.
         Rachel A.