Reducing Ph

lordofthesea · Aug 4, 2009

ok, so the pH in my invert tank is about 7.5. i need it a bit lower. i'm pretty sure that none of the decor in the tank is changing the pH. how do i reduce it? I don't really want to use chemicals, and i need it around 7.2. any ideas?

ALW · Aug 4, 2009

Bogwood and Peat should reduce the pH.

natalie265 · Aug 4, 2009

Filtering through peat granuals might lower it slightly, and if you only want it to get down to 7.2 that might be all you need. If that doesn't work, you can mix reverse osmosis water in w/your tap water every time you do a water change. RO water has a very low ph.

lordofthesea · Aug 4, 2009

cool. thanks

lordofthesea · Aug 4, 2009

also, is it safe to use peat in a tank filter, in a tank containing delicate inverts, such as CRS and elephant snails?

Bebobb · Aug 4, 2009

Anything that emits tannins, they might make the water tea colored, stuff like bogwood, and peat are most known for this!

Dalaran · Aug 4, 2009

Vinegar is acidic and will lower pH... JK

Please don't put vinegar in your tank I don't think it will go over very well with the fish... but it is acidic!

Bebobb · Aug 4, 2009

Dalaran said:
Vinegar is acidic and will lower pH... JK

Please don't put vinegar in your tank I don't think it will go over very well with the fish... but it is acidic!

You had me worried there for a second!!!

drobbyb · Aug 4, 2009

Why do you need to lower your pH? Most fish and inverts can live in a wide range of pH without incident. You just have to acclimate them.

a .3 difference is not enough to go altering your pH.

rabbut · Aug 4, 2009

^^Agreed. Pulling your pH up is iffy if done incorrectly, but lowering it has high potential of death for the stock involved. Without peat/bogwood or other tannin source, RO water is the only safe way. It has a pH of 7.0 unless contaminated, but zero KH, so the pH will swing in it really easily if any acidic compound is added to it in however small amount... RO is free of minerals, and hence can suck salts and vitamins out of fish if you use too much with your tap water or if you use it neet. Really, for the pH difference you want, it isn't worth bothering. Don't go by on-line guides or books alone. According to books and on-line sources (some keepers even) high pH would have killed my Discus ages ago. Not the case :lol: