How can I lower ph quickly

[Seb2502]

I’m getting neo-caridina shrimp soon and my tap water has a ph of about 8.5 and I know shrimps need a lower ph. I was wondering if there’s any way I can lower the ph before I add it to the tank. Thanks!

 

[JemZ]

Api pH down is a product specifically for that! It's a good deal too at just $4.41

 

[Seb2502]

Api pH down is a product specifically for that! It's a good deal too at just $4.41

I’ve heard adding ph down/up can harm fish but I’ll do my research thanks for the suggestion!

 

[JemZ]

Sure!

 

[kwi]

Any sudden change in pH can harm fish.
Also if your water is that alkaline I'll guess it's quite hard, do you know your GH and KH?

 

[Seb2502]

Any sudden change in pH can harm fish.
Also if your water is that alkaline I'll guess it's quite hard, do you know your GH and KH?

My KH is really high at about 180ppm
But the way my test strips work it tells me my GH is like 4 I don’t know if that’s ppm or some other unit

 

[kwi]

It will tell you in the instructions, but likely degrees.

 

[Retired Viking]

Careful with moving your ph, take it easy and slowly adjust it so the fish have time to adjust. I take time even when adjusting the hardness of my water with RO water. I would get a PH meter pen to test and keep track of your PH levels. I use both a water hardness pen and a PH pen when I do my water changes.

 

[seangee]

My KH is really high at about 180ppm

The KH will act as a buffer and anything you add to reduce pH will be neutralised within 24 hours and your pH will bounce straight back to its previous value. This yoyo effect is far worse for your shrimps and fish than just living in a high pH.

I’m getting neo-caridina shrimp soon and my tap water has a ph of about 8.5 and I know shrimps need a lower ph.

Neos will be just fine in that pH. There is no need to try to change it. GH is a far more important parameter for them and yours is fine. In nature soft water tends to be acidic which is why references refer to "soft acidic" water. Your water meets the soft requirement but simply does not fit into that generalisaton, which is not a problem for neos. If you wanted caridina (which are far more sensitive) I would be suggesting RO water and re-mineralisation, but you have nothing to worry about - and they will be far healthier if you don't try to mess with it.

 

[Seb2502]

The KH will act as a buffer and anything you add to reduce pH will be neutralised within 24 hours and your pH will bounce straight back to its previous value. This yoyo effect is far worse for your shrimps and fish than just living in a high pH.

Neos will be just fine in that pH. There is no need to try to change it. GH is a far more important parameter for them and yours is fine. In nature soft water tends to be acidic which is why references refer to "soft acidic" water. Your water meets the soft requirement but simply does not fit into that generalisaton, which is not a problem for neos. If you wanted caridina (which are far more sensitive) I would be suggesting RO water and re-mineralisation, but you have nothing to worry about - and they will be far healthier if you don't try to mess with it.

Ya I was like how the hell is my ph so high but GH so low. Didn’t make sense but I didn’t know it’s not out of the ordinary. Thanks a ton for everyone that helped!

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Please do not use “pH up” or “pH down” - these chemicals can severely mess up your tank.

Almond leaves and driftwood (and I’ve heard of people using peat moss?) are the most natural options I can think of.

(Super cute/pretty dog by the way... )

 

[itiwhetu]

The only way to move pH is slowly and naturally, the buffers work but only short term. If you want to bring it down, I always use peat. some members use almond leaves to soften the water and drag the pH down as well. Be aware it takes time fish do not like pH shifts.

 

[Koglin]

The only way to move pH is slowly and naturally, the buffers work but only short term. If you want to bring it down, I always use peat. some members use almond leaves to soften the water and drag the pH down as well. Be aware it takes time fish do not like pH shifts.

So do you put peat moss right into your filter @itiwhetu? Ive seen it mentioned a couple times.. does it take a lot of it?

Aside from the driftwood and indian almond leaves (catappa leaves) phoenix mentioned, I've read that guava leaves will also help lower ph. Catappa and guava leaves make a great spot for biofilm to develop that your shrimp can graze too. Additionally they have some anti fungal/anti bacterial properties, so bonus.

 

[itiwhetu]

So do you out it into your filter in a media bag? Ive seen it mentioned a couple times.. does it take a lot of it?

Aside from the indian almond leaves (catappa leaves) I've read that guava leaves will also help lower ph. Catappa and guava leaves make a great spot for biofilm to develop too, that your shrimp can graze. Additionally they have some anti fungal/anti bacterial properties.

With peat, I put a very thin layer under the base medium of the tank. It is something you really need to think about on set up. The other way it would work is set up a second Filter and use it as a peat filter. Remember tho your tank will go brown for a few months but then slowly clear. I had a peat based tank to run Discus as the town supply water was hard. It was set up for 10 years and never had an issue sat about 6.3pH. I assumed it was really soft, but I'm not a great one for testing these things.