I went back to Nippon Goldfish for a few supplies. Because of the GH problems I've been having, I bought TetraFish's version of pH and GH test kits, just to make sure the aberrant readings weren't associated with my Red Sea freshwater kit. Results were the same: pH that goes back up after dropping to levels I want; GH way too high for a variety of Tetras.

One of the cool staff said I should try a balance of alkaline buffer and acid buffer. I had simply been dumping small amounts of acid buffer in the water to get the pH down. The buffers are designed to work together so that a ration of 1:1.3 acid:alkaline should produce a more stable result. I also replaced the filter, which is today two weeks old.

Finally, I swapped out 20% of the tank water (2 gallons) with newly treated tap water to see if perhaps the problem is associated with the amount of time I've let my habitat stew. The water change, with the help of my handy-dandy battery-powered gravel vac, was a cinch. No muss, no fuss: 2 gallons out, 2 gallons of treated water in. New tests and readings tomorrow.

I am also turning up the temperature in the tank. Right now, it sits steadily at 76 degrees Farenheit, but Nippon recommends 80-82 degrees for Tetras.

If I solve my GH/pH problems with this water change and the buffer controls, it's just a matter of days before my little fishies can come home. Yippee!