Lowering The Ph !

[fishkeeper51]

Hi,

I have a 20 gallon community aquarium. The water quality is fine apart from the pH which is in the high 8's. This is because i live in a hard water area. My fish are surviving due to the fact that they are used to it. However the pH will affect new fish and plants. How can i slowly lower it without shocking the fish??

 

[JoshuaA]

It's usually best to allow your fish to adapt to the water than make your water adapt to your fish.

You can drip acclimatise them and if you have actually got a hospital tank or quarantine tank you could... Test the water they come in for its original pH and then use pH down to drop your quarantine tank down to their natural level. Then over the quarantine period you can slow decrease the amount of pH down you use on your frequent quarantine changes so that they are adapted at the end of 2/3 weeks for your main tank.

You can just use pH down to make your tank drop if you want however I stand by the fact it's easier to make fish adapt than the water adapt. Especially if you have an accident and need to do a massive water change and its outside your regular schedule and you find out you have no pH down left.

 

[fishkeeper51]

Thanks,


But will the high pH affect the plants??

 

[PDSimon]

Depends on the plants. Quite a lot apparently don't like 8+ pH so you'll have to do your homework. You might want to post a more specific thread in the planted tank forum.

bogwood and peat bring down the pH. Bogwood can be put in the tank and peat in the filter if actually bringing the pH down is necessary.