sea shells

[Torrean]

My PH is very very low. -6. I've been using distilled water 4 days ago I started doing a small water change with tap water every 2 days. The ph from the tap is 7.5. I wanted to know If i could add a seashell or two to increase the hardness of the water and create a ph buffer. I need a higher ph because it is lower than my test kit goes, and I think adding the water like that is very stressfull for the fish. So what are the best ways to raise PH? We have some PH neutral stuff that we used for a while but I have stopped because It doesn't work for more than a week or so and fluctuations from 7-6 every week can't be good for the fish.

 

[vantgE]

I hear bakeing soda but, consider adding crushed coral to your filttration system first or doing absolutely nothing most fish are already custom to your watter if you buy them in a lfs

 

[Torrean]

They have been in a tank with fluctuating PH because I used Distilled Water. I edit: "think I " end edit:need to add a ph buffer to the tank so that it doesn't fluctuate any more. It's below 6, this is too low for most any fish.

 

[snar]

so if you take any old sea shell it will raise your pH level?

 

[Torrean]

I believe so but I don't know how many shells to add or what other negative effect it might have. Also I don't understand the mechanism by which it changes PH. I'm reluctant to just add one and see what happens, but the PH is below 6 and something needs to be done.