Lowering PH a bit

[StarOrbs]

I know the ph has changed in my tank and it's not the same as my tap water. The PH of my tap water is 7.5 and the PH of my tank is a little higher than 8.0 .. I have an aquaclear 50 and some real plants in my tank. Is there anyway I can lower the PH in my tank a bit so it is not 8.0, or does it not really matter that it's 8.0..

The fish I'll have in my tank are platies, glo-lite tetras, (5-6 cories or 2 Blue Rams), (2 Pearl Gouramis or 5 honey gouramis).

 

[Paul_MTS]

A high PH like that isn't a worry really for those fish. Find out what your fish shops is.

My works tanks are at 8 and a shop I went to today has there tanks at 8, mines 8 but I'm trying to lower it as you may of seen in the topic below but thats for more sensitive fish.

 

[Barday]

If I'm not mistaken rams need a higher ph, something in the range of 6-7.

To lower it you can ad some bogwood, and as you have live plants it might not be a bad idea to use a CO2 system.

 

[Paul_MTS]

I keep rams aswell and the tank there in is 8. PH is not essential for these fish unless you want to start breeding then you would need to fiddle about with water parameters.

 

[aqtaquaman]

Rams are pretty sensitive, keep in mind that ammonia is ten times as toxic at 8 than at a ph of 7. Neutral regulator is a buffer designed to keep the ph at neutral which would suit your fish better, though whats been said already, consistency is important.

 

[StarOrbs]

Alright guess I'll try and figure out something.. Also I've heard adding CO2 lowers PH, is that true?

 

[sylvia]

Yes it's true.

Concerning your initial question - If your pH remains a stable 8.0 even with regular water changes, you have nothing to worry about other than acclimatizing new fish to your pH gradualy as, if you buy them in your area, they are likely to be used to your local tap water's 7.5 .

If you want to lower the pH you should look at the cause of the higher pH. Most likely you have something in your tank that acts as a buffer or is dissolving and causing it. If you have any rocks, even your gravel, check they are inert types.

Higher oxygen levels can also cause a higher pH so if you have very good filtration you may have a higher pH though it is unlikely this is the case if you are comparing with your tap water. Try putting some tap water in a clean, empty bucket. Add an airstone and strongly aerate it for an hour. Then test the pH.

 

[StarOrbs]

Well I was going a bit crazy with the bubbles for a few days before i had plants in it so that may have caused it.

 

[Bignose]

Dissolved CO2 in your tap water may be lowering your tap's pH as well. Do what sylvia said, let the water aerate and equilibrate with the air and see if that alone changes the pH. To wit, my tap water tests at 7.2-7.4 and after some time agitating it is 8.2-8.4. Otherwise, suspect a rock or decoration in the tank.

But, it cannot be overemphasized that most fish prefer a constant pH that may be a little outside of their preferred range, rather than a fluctuating pH in the preferred range. Test any measures you use to try to lower your pH on some water without fish first -- chemicals are notorious for lowering pH for a few hours then the buffering bounces it right back up. You should know the value of your water's KH before you try too much, so you know just how hard it will be to change the pH. Fluctuations can be very difficult for your fish to handle, and most fish can acclimate to a constant pH. So long as you research the fish before purchase so you know that they are not too sensitive (e.g. like a discus), most fish can be acclimated.