Stabilizing pH question

[gwand]

Now that I have RODI water I can finally create a soft water environment conducive for wc dwarf South American cichlids. But with such a low KH how does one stabilize the pH? Do I just ignore potential pH fluctuations?

 

[Uberhoust]

I don't use RODI water but my tap water hardness varies between 0 and 2 degrees of hardness. I don't do anything with the pH but I have found that it is more sensitive in particular with wood in the tank. If I put in a lot of wood or try more for black water, ie alder cones etc. I can get my pH to drop below the API test kit range and have had it as low as 5.5, measure with a pH sensor (I don't trust the calibration on the cheap sensors). With well aged wood that has been in the tank for years, and with a number of rocks and a gravel substrate my pH tends to settle at 6.8 to 7.2. With newer wood, still aged but not in a tank, and other organics I can easily push that down into the 6's easily. In any case I have not noticed that the angels even noticed when the pH dropped below 6.

I suspect that though my water is very soft it might still have enough carbonate to slightly buffer the pH. Also I have some granites and gneiss in the tank, they have minor concentration of carbonates and might also buffer the pH. In any case I don't do anything to buffer the pH in my main tank.

 

[Gertrudae]

As long as you don't add CO2, that shouldn't be a problem. I have an aquarium with a very low KH. I don't measure it, but the snail shells don't look good... I have a lot of leaves, wood and other botanicals, which stabilise the pH.

 

[seangee]

I use RO. As long as you keep up with wtaer changes zero KH is no problem