Ph Too High?

[Killer Smile]

Hey guys,okay i'll go straight to the point,i have 2 tanks,a 15 gal and a 10 gal. I tested recently for ammonia,nitrite,nitrate,and ph,yknow routine check. Everything is good however the ph was set at 7.6 for both tanks according to the test. (I use the API master test kit) Being curious,i decided to try the high range ph test just to see cause it was always 7.6,maybe it was higher,after i checked,i was stunned to have the results at 8.8 in my 15 gal and 8.2 in my 10 gal. This disturbed since,well here is my stocking list

15 gal:
15 neon tetra
10 microrasbora kubotai
5 cherry barb
20 Cherry shrimp (well around like that,its hard to count them all)

10 gal:
1 betta
6 espei rasbora
4 panda corys
10 amano shrimp


Im not sure on what the exact ph should be but im pretty sure none of the fish/shrimp i have are the type to prefer that high ph. Im guessing around 6.5 - 7 or so for both tanks based on what i've researched. My problem is,how do i fix ph? Ph never really came into my mind until now.

 

[KittyKat]

My preferred method of lowering pH is to add bogwood (which will release tannins) and plant the tanks. I am one of those people who prefers to try and keep aquatic animals in conditions which are as close to nature as possible, so would try to get the pH slightly lower in those tanks.

 

[Killer Smile]

oh,both are already planted heavily,i bought both from a fish show,too bad they didnt win the competition however the owner didnt want to take it home,so he just sold it for a really cheap price,$70 for the tank,with live plants,filter,diy CO2 system,everything completely set up with a few shrimp and fish,literally as he put it,take the tank and leave. But anyway,i dont think adding bogwood is an option since its already planted. It has some driftwood and stones too. I forgot to meantion that it had a DIY CO2 system,idk if that affects things but yeah