Lowering Ph

[mike455555]

ok long story short i want to lower my pH of my PROPAGATOR (no life besides plants in it)

at the moment its at 8.3, its got a small filter but that's mainly for water movement

what would be the best way to lower it, im aiming for about 5-7 pH

why you ask? im trying to propagate blyxa Japonica and all it seems to be doing is melting on me

im not doing any water changes, and im planning on leaving the tank set up while at uni next year (to keep my other plants alive for when i leave uni), im going to add a self filling system from rainwater though in the future (so it stays full and evaporation doesnt lower the water level ( off the point abit now)

how can i change it? add an acid? in which case what one, (preferably house hold). would vinegar work? or lemon juice?

 

[bullit]

Normally peat is used. Something like soak it in a bucket of water overnight and use that for your water changes.

 

[CezzaXV]

You don't mention what your tapwater pH is, but using RO water from your LFS might be a good starting point.

I'd be wary of using rainwater for refills. Seems like a good idea in principle but if there's pollution in it it can cause damage, and you're not there to fix it.

Aquarium plants do need more than just light and water (nutrients are needed too), and I don't know whether it's realistic to expect that a plant is going to keep going while you're not there.

 

[AlbertShipman]

Normally peat is used. Something like soak it in a bucket of water overnight and use that for your water changes.

could a small piece of peat, taken from the field then boiled, be used if placed in your filter?
keeping cardinal tetras and have been thinkin' about trying this out?...

 

[Lunar Jetman]

I imagine the danger of getting it from a field is any chemicals or fertiliser might be in there too. My LFS has it in boxes to put in your filter that should be a safer option.

 

[TallTree01]

Get some driftwood. My ph was also 8 to start ( awful for neon tetras ) I got 2 pieces of driftwood with anubias growing off it. Ph is now 6.5.

 

[mike455555]

iv got some left over wood in storage thanks, i'll stick it in the bottom and see what it does, as for leaving the tank when im at uni, it will be fine to start of im using top soil (seeing as no lifes going in it) and when i come back in the hol's i can allways add ferts. most plants will be in there emersed forms so the soil should supply there roots like any pot plants =] (iv throught it all through) the water is only supply blyax, and other fully aquatic plants, also mosses i have hanging from a spray bar on a trickel feed. i'll get some pics of it tomorrow its abit OTT for a propagator :L