P To The H!

[Noahsfish]

Hey everybody, had a few questions regarding ph and filtration. I currently have a 20 gallon with,
X6 cardinal tetras
X1 dalmation Molly
X1 opaline gourami
X4 sterbai corydoras, 1 schwartzi.
And a 10 gallon,
6 harlequin rasboras
1 betta.
And soon, a 30 gallon where I'll be moving the dalmation Molly and gourami soon.
Sooo anyways my main concern is my 20 gallon...once I move out the gourami and Molly I plan on completeing my school of sterbai corydoras and getting a couple more. I have two pieces of driftwood and the tank is lightly planted with anubias, java fern, java moss, and a few marimos..the ph stayed at 7.4 for a while, but my lfs and my personal test kit is reading 8.0......I'm going to try to go down to 7.0, or at least 7.5. Ok this topic is going in a very confusing order, sorry about that...ON TO FILTERATION! Haha ok, so I was considering buying a fluval canister filter for my 20 gallon, an upgrade from my aqueon quiet flow...overkill? Idk that's what I'm asking you guys....and how would I go about adding peat moss to this filter? Just stick it in with the media? If I did buy a fluval canister filter (not sure what model yet) would it be too strong for the following.
X6 cardinal tetras
X6 sterbai Cory
X1 schwartzi
Aaaaannnnnddd once I move out the other fish 1 or two German blue rams. So yeah.

 

[lukyjay]

I have an Eheim Classic 2213 on my 65L tank. I think it works great for up to 100L, the thing is damn silent and the filter media is much easier to set up than the fluvals. The eheim is basically a big bucket, rather than compartments.
 
If the flow of water is too strong that it's creating a current or making it hard for your fish, just drill the holes in your output bar a few mill bigger until you find what you're happy with. It'll reduce the pressure of water coming out of it.

 

[Lunar Jetman]

As lukejay says, an external filter should be fine. Most have spray bars or adaptors that can be adjusted to reduce flow. Pest can also be added to the media chamber. You will just need a media bag of some sort to put it in. I think Fluval even sell peat in bags although it will probably be cheaper to get it loose and buy a bag separately.

How do you plan to lower ph and why? It will make things more complicated when it comes to your weekly water changes.

 

[Noahsfish]

As lukejay says, an external filter should be fine. Most have spray bars or adaptors that can be adjusted to reduce flow. Pest can also be added to the media chamber. You will just need a media bag of some sort to put it in. I think Fluval even sell peat in bags although it will probably be cheaper to get it loose and buy a bag separately.
How do you plan to lower ph and why? It will make things more complicated when it comes to your weekly water changes.

Well I wanted to lower it as I know cardinals like soft, acidic water, same with sterbais. And at the moment my water is pretty hard and the ph is too high..