How Can I Get My Ph Neutral Or Slightly Acidic?

[nukeonekitty]

My 20 gal is host to a pair of bolivian rams and 4 dwarf rainbow fish. My current pH is 8.2-8.5 and I would like to get it to neutral or maybe 6.5. How can I do this? There is a small piece of drift wood in there.

 

[Callum]

You could use R0 water (reverse osmosis). You can buy a unit or buy the water from your LFS. It is ideal for adjusting ph / hardness etc.. However it is quite pricey.You could use a lot of peat and wood. This is fairly cheap, but peat stains your water and it won't be as effective as RO.You could use ph altering chemicals. Personally, I would avoid ph altering chemicals. Make sure whatever adjustmnets you do, you do it gradually else you fish may become ill due to unstable conditions.

 

[LolaLouie]

Peat is working well for me at the moment. Can be quite time consuming and need to test the pH daily but its a natural safe way to lower pH and soften water!