Lowering The Ph And Making The Water Softer

[digsy]

How do I lower the pH of my water and make it softer ?

I know there are chemicals that can be used but I'd rather use a permament solution (and a natural one if thats possible).

I think I read somewhere that bogwood reduces the pH - is that true ?


Thanks

 

[mark.w.jones]

How do I lower the pH of my water and make it softer ?

I know there are chemicals that can be used but I'd rather use a permament solution (and a natural one if thats possible).

I think I read somewhere that bogwood reduces the pH - is that true ?


Thanks

You can only create water softer than your tap water by using a reverse osmosis unit to produce "clean" water devoid of any mineral content. This you can then mix with your tapwater to create softer water. Its dead expensive though and only really worth if there is a species you want to keep that can only be kept in soft water. Most fish, whatever the books may say, are relatively tolerant of water which is softer or harder than they live in in the wild. This is partly because the vast majority have never lived in the wild and have been captive bred. You can also add rainwater that you have collected in a water butt and filtered though carbon. This is a cheaper option but take care that gutters, pipes, rooves etc. do not appear to have anything on them that may pollute your water. This can again be mixed with tap water and added to your tank. Both of these options are time consuming and will add time to your weekly maintainance routine. Ask yourself whether you think you can be bothered to go out in winter to your water butt, in the rain and wind to collect water.

pH can be lowered safely in 2 ways. Either adding bogwood (which will also give your water a brown tinge for a while because of the colouring / tannins it releases.) You can also add peat to your filter. Interpret I believe make peat wool and peat pellets for adding to filters. The obviously don't maintain the lower pH forever and need regularly replacing though.

I would not at all recommend going down the chemical route. Its very hit and miss and can cause extremely quick changes to water chemistry which will almost certainly kill your fish. Personally I wouldnt worry about making your water softer unless there is something very specific and delicate that you want to keep. If you want to lower pH this is easier to do but again in the vast majority of cases the fish will tolerate a higher pH. The only reason you might want to consider lowering it in the future is to encourage fish to spawn.

Good luck