Reducing Ph

[greatfish123]

Hi everyone,

my tap water has a really high pH(8.0) and is very hard. I was wondering what I can do to reduce the pH as I am trying to breed some tetras that require a ph of around 6. i've heard of adding peat but will the color pose a problem. Also, i've tried with the chemicals, but due to the liquid rock that i have, it does little or nothing to change the pH. Is is possible to add a known concentration of murratic acid to the water and acclimitaze the fish to that or is that a bad idea.?

Thanks in advance

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

Well, filtering your water through a bag of Peat Moss should help some. I also would look into buying either a RO unit, or De-ionizing unit. The only down side, as that they take trace elements out of the water, which you have to replace...I personally don't like chemicals, im an all natural type person (like most here.) I would also recommend some Bog wood, or drift wood, but it may also change the color of the water...

 

[Aphotic Phoenix]

RO/DI unit...just "cut" your tap water with it. Depending on how hard your tap water is (get an accurate kh/gh test done)...use 1/2 RO/DI and 1/2 tap, or 3/4 RO/DI to 1/4 tap etc. I think most mineral supplements are for people who don't have hard enough tap water in the first place for things like Africans, or have something very nasty in their tap that they want to completely remove (high phosphates/silicates etc).

Driftwood, peat, and CO2 injection can all help lower the pH of your tank, but it makes doing large water changes much more risky.

Keep in mind that if you go RO/DI you'll have to make a commitment to always mixing your replacement water, buying new filters, and securing an alternate soft water source if your unit fails.

 

[rdd1952]

Adjusting pH is very tricky. Unfortunately, you have 2 problems. First your pH is high but more importantly, you have a huge amount of buffering capacity. That will make lowering the pH very difficult. Personally, I don't ever advise trying anything that takes daily or weekly maintenance but if you truely want to lower the pH you will have to do that.

The simplest way is with RO water. It is basically void of any buffering capacity, minerals, etc. The problem with that though is as AP mentioned, you hae to do it eery time you do a water change and it can be expensive. Like everyone else, I don't like using chemicals to adjust pH. They make the pH swing too much up and down.

 

[BigC]

If you are breeding tetras you will also need the water to be soft (not pH)hence the de-ionising unit mentioned. Really if you are serious about tetras then the RO unit + DI chamber is a wise move. Also most tetras eggs are light sensitive.
Regards
BigC

 

[backtotropical]

I'm having the same problem at the moment. I'm going to try bogwood. I'll let you know how i get on.

 

[greatfish123]

Thanks for all your reply guys! . I think i'll use DI water to adjust the ph and hardness. backtotropical please pm on how things went with your case. thanks.

 

[Puffdaddy]

Most grocery stores sell de-ionized water by the gallon for pretty cheap, much cheap than RO water from a pet store. My local Grocery store sells it for 89 cents a gallon.

 

[backtotropical]

Thanks for all your reply guys! . I think i'll use DI water to adjust the ph and hardness. backtotropical please pm on how things went with your case. thanks.

I was trying to post a link to my thread, but cant figure out how. It's in the 'Members Aquarium and Fish Pictures' section and its called 'New Vision 260 Community Setup'.

You can read all about it there, as it unfolds.

 

[rdd1952]

To post a link to the thread (or any webpage), first copy the web address. Then click the

above. Paste the web address in first and hit enter. Then type in the words you want to be live to click such as backtotropical's thread and hit enter again and you have a link.

 

[backtotropical]

To post a link to the thread (or any webpage), first copy the web address. Then click the

above. Paste the web address in first and hit enter. Then type in the words you want to be live to click such as backtotropical's thread and hit enter again and you have a link.

Ok. Here goes. Thanks again RDD1952.

Backtotropical's Tank

It works too. Nice one.