Ph Lowering?

[Shovelman]

So figured out that Chicago water is pretty high at about 8.0-8.2 ish.

I mean i suppose its fine for almost any fish but id prefer to have it a bit more neutral...

basically asking for suggestions.

ps: i have driftwood in my tank right now and the water is currently golden brown due to the tannins.. are there any ways of lowering ph without using chemicals or say peat filtration? Maybe by getting an ro/di unit? The only thing i can find bad about the ro/di unit is it takes a long time to make the water and your losing an incredible amount of water (waste water) as well, though i suppose you could use it for other things as well..

 

[mishmash]

So figured out that Chicago water is pretty high at about 8.0-8.2 ish.

I mean i suppose its fine for almost any fish but id prefer to have it a bit more neutral...

basically asking for suggestions.

ps: i have driftwood in my tank right now and the water is currently golden brown due to the tannins.. are there any ways of lowering ph without using chemicals or say peat filtration? Maybe by getting an ro/di unit? The only thing i can find bad about the ro/di unit is it takes a long time to make the water and your losing an incredible amount of water (waste water) as well, though i suppose you could use it for other things as well..

You have almost answered your own question. Peat is a good solution as is RO. How big is your tank ? Either you are filling the Chicago River (in which case, YES it will take a long time to generate enough RO water) or you have a home aquarium and it wont take that long. Remember after initial fill you only need enough water for a water change. If you are on metered water for billing purposes it might be a consideration I guess, but you can indeed use it for other stuff.

Bear in mind if your natural pH is that high, your hardness may be pretty high too. This means some methods of pH lowering won't work as the water will just 'bounce' right back up as the high hardness levels would act as a buffer for the higher pH. (at least thats how I understand it ) Good luck.

 

[Shovelman]

So figured out that Chicago water is pretty high at about 8.0-8.2 ish.

I mean i suppose its fine for almost any fish but id prefer to have it a bit more neutral...

basically asking for suggestions.

ps: i have driftwood in my tank right now and the water is currently golden brown due to the tannins.. are there any ways of lowering ph without using chemicals or say peat filtration? Maybe by getting an ro/di unit? The only thing i can find bad about the ro/di unit is it takes a long time to make the water and your losing an incredible amount of water (waste water) as well, though i suppose you could use it for other things as well..

You have almost answered your own question. Peat is a good solution as is RO. How big is your tank ? Either you are filling the Chicago River (in which case, YES it will take a long time to generate enough RO water) or you have a home aquarium and it wont take that long. Remember after initial fill you only need enough water for a water change. If you are on metered water for billing purposes it might be a consideration I guess, but you can indeed use it for other stuff.

Bear in mind if your natural pH is that high, your hardness may be pretty high too. This means some methods of pH lowering won't work as the water will just 'bounce' right back up as the high hardness levels would act as a buffer for the higher pH. (at least thats how I understand it ) Good luck.

yeah i guess i kind of did answer my own question....lol I was just wondering more so about the ro/di unit i suppose. http/www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/75-gpd-ro-di-5-stage-standard-system.html# I was looking at that one. And the ro/d water will be for my 65 gallon which is currently filled but with water changes hopefully the neutral ph will simmer down the 8.2 and also ill have the ro/di unit for if i lunge into sw