Lowering Ph

[xJake]

I really don't want to bother with adding chemicals to my water to lower the pH, so I was wondering if there is any other ways. I know of peat and driftwood, but are there any others? Someone told me to add vinegar on another forum, but I'm rather skeptical about doing something like that.

 

[jayjay]

Bogwood and peat like you've said. Injecting CO2 will aswel.

Why do you want to lower it?

 

[xJake]

Why do you want to lower it?

I want to keep Rams in my 35g hex and they're rather delicate fish and prefer soft acidic water. My tapwater's pH is currently 8.0 and they need in the range of 6.0-7.5.

 

[jayjay]

Use one or more of my suggestions though RO is another option.

 

[mattb]

I have the same problem would like to lower my PH from 8.0 to around 7.2-7.5, if using the peat option how do i do that? Put it in a small sack or something in my filter? Or actually inside the main tank loose or again in a bag?

 

[jayjay]

You can use peat as a substrate (though you will not want to do these measures if you have fish in the tank). Also you can use peat in the filter.

 

[e11cloud]

Don't forget to closely monitor levels while you're changing it.

 

[mattb]

I wouldnt put the peat in the filter loose though surely? I would have to put it in a small bag or something to stop it leaving the filter?

Would the peat not make the water go cloudy as well?

 

[Saedcantas]

bogwood, CO2 and make it a nice planted affair

 

[callum_parsons]

i read something about dried beech tree leaves in pratical fish keeping u should look into it

 

[jayjay]

You may mean Indian almond leaves (IAL) normally used for bettas.

 

[callum_parsons]

You may mean Indian almond leaves (IAL) normally used for bettas.

ALSO BEECH TREE LEAVES
PLUS THEY ARE EASIER TO GET HOLD OF