Lowering Ph And Keeping It There.

[stormstaff]

Hello,

Ph in new tank ( stocked with plants but not fish yet ) is 7.8. Used PH down yesterday and got it down to 7.2 bu 24 hrs later and it`s back at 7.8

Any ideas how to keep this down without bogwood.....the filter is a Fluval as per bought.

Thanks............martin.

 

[shang hi]

there must be something alkiline in the tank, you can set up a Co2 because ive herd that can lower the PH because it makes Carbonic Acid

 

[Darkstar]

Any idea what your GH and KH levels are?

 

[mark.w.jones]

Why do you want to lower it. Nearly all species will happily live outside of their natural pH without any problems. Keeping it permanently low is difficult as obviously your tapwater wants to raise it up. Hard water with a high gH is more alkaline. Softening your water will help with lowering pH. Adding peat granules is an option for softening your water although they will need contantly replacing for the life of the tank.

[URL="http/www.charterhouse-aquatics.co.uk/cat...00g-p-1480.html"]http/www.charterhouse-aquatics.co.uk/cat...00g-p-1480.html[/URL]

Bogwood and CO2 injection again will help with lowering pH. But as mentioned, unless you plan to keep something very sensitive or unusual I wouldn't worry about lowering pH. Certainly, chemical addition as you've seen is not a good option and tends to cause pH swings which can be fatal.

 

[RadaR]

Why do you want to lower it. Nearly all species will happily live outside of their natural pH without any problems. Keeping it permanently low is difficult as obviously your tapwater wants to raise it up. Hard water with a high gH is more alkaline. Softening your water will help with lowering pH. Adding peat granules is an option for softening your water although they will need contantly replacing for the life of the tank.

<a href="http/www.charterhouse-aquatics.co.uk/cat...00g-p-1480.html" target="_blank">http/www.charterhouse-aquatics.co.uk/cat...00g-p-1480.html</a>

Bogwood and CO2 injection again will help with lowering pH. But as mentioned, unless you plan to keep something very sensitive or unusual I wouldn't worry about lowering pH. Certainly, chemical addition as you've seen is not a good option and tends to cause pH swings which can be fatal.

Great advice right there. Pretty much every experienced fishkeeper will tell you the same thing.

 

[freerunner416]

Sorry for slightly high jacking here but i have the same issue although i only want to drop it slightly.

I am sitting at 7.0ish this now but want to drop it just slightly to 6.5ish. I know it that drop won't affect the fish but i would like to do it to get my corys to spawn. I have plenty bogwood in the tank and am wondering how else i can drop it slightly.

If i go in for the peat balls how long will they last?

Cheers

Craig

 

[mark.w.jones]

Sorry for slightly high jacking here but i have the same issue although i only want to drop it slightly.

I am sitting at 7.0ish this now but want to drop it just slightly to 6.5ish. I know it that drop won't affect the fish but i would like to do it to get my corys to spawn. I have plenty bogwood in the tank and am wondering how else i can drop it slightly.

If i go in for the peat balls how long will they last?

Cheers

Craig

How long is a piece of string? Its impossible to say how long they last as in depends entirely on the surroundings they are put into. Things like filter flowrate, local water stats, tank capacity all have an impact. If you go for having them you just need to think about doing a pH test on a regular basis in order to see how long they last. Its a dead easy test to do so could probably be done on a daily basis over a number of weeks. Write down your readings as you go and you'll begin to build up an idea of how long they will last.

 

[chrisdoesntmiss]

Sorry for slightly high jacking here but i have the same issue although i only want to drop it slightly.

I am sitting at 7.0ish this now but want to drop it just slightly to 6.5ish. I know it that drop won't affect the fish but i would like to do it to get my corys to spawn. I have plenty bogwood in the tank and am wondering how else i can drop it slightly.

If i go in for the peat balls how long will they last?

Cheers

Craig

Slowly monitered CO2 injection should lower it enough, just make sure not to pop over 30 ppm. Softer water will also lower your ph.

Chris