High Ph

[flautist]

The water here has a REALLY high pH. I have always known that it was high, but I didn't know exactly how high. I just tested the water, and it's 8.4!

Is this a problem? Should I get some pH minus, or will it be okay the way it is?

 

[red-devil0602]

you could use indian almond leaf to reduce your ph

 

[sukie]

What's in the tank now??

I know my 10gal divided has high ph because of the sand. . so I put driftwood and a ph buffer in.

 

[flautist]

I just have gravel, silk plants, a couple caves, a filter, and a heater.

as for the IAL, I don't think I have anywhere around here where I can get that. Not only that, but doesn't it brown up the water?

 

[sukie]

The fastest way to lower ph is water change -

Try testing your water out of the tap and see where the ph is. .

Also you can go to the lfs to get buffers to lower the ph. .

Also driftwood is said to lower the ph - but that's more monies out of the pocket.

 

[flautist]

The fastest way to lower ph is water change -

Try testing your water out of the tap and see where the ph is. .

Also you can go to the lfs to get buffers to lower the ph. .

Also driftwood is said to lower the ph - but that's more monies out of the pocket.

I did just change the water. I tested the tap, and it is 8.4 out of the tap, as well. I guess I'll have to get something to lower that.

 

[sukie]

The fastest way to lower ph is water change -

Try testing your water out of the tap and see where the ph is. .

Also you can go to the lfs to get buffers to lower the ph. .

Also driftwood is said to lower the ph - but that's more monies out of the pocket.

I did just change the water. I tested the tap, and it is 8.4 out of the tap, as well. I guess I'll have to get something to lower that.

(I repeated "also' too much in that post )

Anyway - yeh I thought if your ph is high - it might be the water source itself and nothing in the tank that's causing it.

Go get the lower-your-ph-stuff. . But what sucks is you have to constantly add it til it's at the right levels. (unless I got the crappy stuff )

Hope things work out!!

 

[Joby]

My PH is over 8 and I have never used anything to lower it.

The fish should get used to it

 

[BigIan]

or bog wood or mopanii will lower your ph quite readily....

 

[Karah's_Mommy]

The pH decreasers found in pet shops can lead to inconsistent pH's and you'd be better off just leaving it or looking for natural pH decreasers. IAL or bogwood both will do the job. And yes, IAL will darken the water a bit. I have a ton of leaves here and wouldn't mind sending you some if you'd like to try it.

My tap water comes out around 8.2. I just leave it alone and my fish are used to it.

 

[Styx]

flautist, if you have very hard water, your ph will be very hard to change. Mine is at 8.5 and won't change. I've got a tank with sand and seashells for my cichlids- 8.5, never varies. I've got another tank with driftwood, oak leaves, IALs, AND BWE and take a wild guess were the ph is at? 8.5. Never varies. It's 8.5 right out of the tap. Another breeder told me this about the water: "if your water is buffered and hard like mine you wont get it down", "take your water to any pet store and have them test it for hardness".

I agree with Karah's_Mommy though, don't try the chemical reducers, which can really screw up your water.

If your fish are showing signs of stress, then you'll want some IAL or BWE. I doesn't lower my ph, but it alters the water in some other ways that really help out the fish.

 

[AMS]

You could try mixing tapwater with reverse osmosis (RO) water at a fixed ratio to acheive the desired pH. It's a bit much to go out and buy an RO unit for a single small betta tank, but many LFS's sell RO water for about 80 cents per gallon.

 

[afireinside]

You could always use Hydro-chloric acid... though I never would.

 

[Synirr]

IAL, Atison's Betta Spa, Blackwater Extract, and Amazon Rain are all products that will naturally lower your pH quite nicely. Bettas can get used to a higher pH, but you're going to find yourself needing to do more water changes, as ammonia is more toxic in higher pH... there was a chart showing ammonia toxicity levels at different pHs posted once, anyone know where it is?

EDIT: Found it:
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=119971&hl=