Higher PH

So I started adding leaf litter to my tank about a month ago.

I tested my PH about half an hour ago. First time since adding everything. It reads 7.6ph up from the usual 7.4. If anything I thought the stuff I added would have lowered my ph.

Hi @fishtales

It's probably the oak leaves that are raising the water pH. Different leaves affect pH differently. Take a look at:

https://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/features/articles/2016/10/28/free-tank-decor

Scroll to the end of the article and you will see how oak and catappa leaves affect pH over time. The 'pH in RO' figures indicate what would happen if the water had no pH buffering, i.e. KH = 0dH. The second table, 'pH in tapwater' is the one that's more relevant in your case. Note how oak leaves progressively increase pH throughout the 311 hour period (approx. 13 days). During the one month period since you added the leaves, it is not surprising that pH has increased. Note also that, over time, catappa leaves have the same effect.

Hope that helps.

JPC

yes, just from the ground. The leaves must be totally and utterly dead when you collect them.

Just curious to underatand if beech is perhaps the exception to the rule of picking leaves from the ground as it retains its leaves on the tree till next growing season?