PH question

[Crystal]

I have been fishless cycling my 10 gal, and so far so good on the process (at the high point of the nitrite spike) but I have a question about my ph level.
It is currently sitting at 8.4 - 8.8 (the color is in the middle).

How do I naturally and safely lower my PH levels?

 

[Michael Roth]

I use Seachem Discus PH Buffer, and it is pretty slick

 

[enchanted]

You can add Driftwood to your tank. The tannis will naturally lower the PH.

 

[Crystal]

I have bogwood in it already.

 

[enchanted]

I think it was "the-wolf" who posted an article in here somewhere about rocks.

If I remember right (but don't quote me) a rock with calcium in it would lower the PH, but you have to be careful not to lower it too much.

 

[The-Wolf]

I think it was "the-wolf" who posted an article in here somewhere about rocks.

If I remember right (but don't quote me) a rock with calcium in it would lower the PH, but you have to be careful not to lower it too much.

nope, you remember incorectly, calcium raises the ph not lowers it.


Crystal add some peat to your filter, see my PM for more details.

 

[Teelie]

bogwood and peat will only lower it so much. What kind of water do you use? Tap water is usually high in pH so you can try doing water changes with R/O water to get it down.

 

[Crystal]

I have tried both city water (tap water) and water form my bf's house, which is on a different system and has a lower ph. I really did not want to have to go the way of bottled water, but if it is the only things that works....

 

[skimpy]

I agree that bogwood and peat are the most natural ways of lowering the PH.

What type of fish are you thinking of, cos some fish can tolerate quite a high PH.???

If you succeed in lowering your tank PH a lot, but your tap PH is still very high then you will have to be careful to do smaller waterchanges. If the difference between tank and tap is large then a very large water change could be too much of a shock to the fish.

Also (I may be wrong) but I have found that my PH levels were higher when I was cycling and once the tank matured they stabilised at a slightly lower figure, so your PH might not yet be at its final reading.

Good Luck

 

[Crystal]

thanks skimpy, I hope that it is higher due to the cycling process. My bf wants a school of Black Phantom tetras and I want panda corys. I believe once I am done cycling I will use the water from my bf's place as well, there is no ammonia in it (unlike mine) and the ph is lower.

 

[enchanted]

Your other option would be to add CO2 to the tank. CO2 will lower the PH and if you are doing a planted tank it would be good for the plants.

 

[Crystal]

no plated tank yet. That is for my next one.
My lfs said to try using RO water, and that would help it. any opinions?

 

[Bangin]

As Teelie stated R/O is a good option for lowering the ph. It also softens the water.

 

[skimpy]

Sorry to sound thick but what is R/O water???

 

[The-Wolf]

This may help you all
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=59467