How Can I Lower My Ph, Which Is At A High 8.4?

[Tyson]

The pH of my tap water has always been 8.4. I've called the local water supplier and they say pH ranges from 8-8.8 in my area. I tested it myself and got 8.4 and went to PetsMart and got 8.4.

I want to know to lower pH without harming fish or using those crappy
"Proper pH 7.0" or "pH down" chemicals.

I heard to use peat balls or moss but I don't want my water looking like tea.

I have two pieces of driftwood in the tank already and doesn't seem to make a difference.

I also have a high KH and I'm confused what the "buffering" is.

Water parameters:
pH: 8.4
KH: >300 ppm
GH: 25 ppm

Ammo: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 30

 

[ShinySideUp]

Are you in the UK, whereabouts are you that the water has such a high pH?

 

[Tyson]

I live in the USA. In California, specifically.

 

[ShinySideUp]

I've never done it (no need, the pH in my tanks is 6.0) but I believe you can lower the pH of water using a reverse osmosis system. Others would have more detail on this, I am just a basic fish-keeper.

 

[Ruskull]

I lowered the pH in my tanks with driftwood. It won't lower it too much but I saw a significant drop.

 

[FishLover66]

Driftwood worked for me.

 

[Tolak]

Why do you want to lower your pH?

 

[Tyson]

what are the pros and cons of lowering pH when keeping Angelfish?

Driftwood doesn't seem to work for me.

Can someone please explain "buffering"?

 

[lefty07603]

If it was dangerously high i guess u could use a little lemon juice or something, but idk

 

[KISSfn]

If that's the pH that comes out of your tap no reason to lower it. A stable pH is more important than trying to mess with it. Buffering capacity refers to water's ability to keep the pH stable.

 

[Dazzler666]

I considered trying to lower water PH but after reading numerous things decided against it as KissFM states, it's having a stable PH thats most important.
However, if you decide too I would suggest using peat as its natural, also look at crushed sea shell & there's some form of white stone/substrate used for cichlids that I cannot for the life of me remember what it's called which will also lower PH, however this along with anything that alters PH will NEED very regular testing/changing!!!
If you search the net you will find all forms of wierd & wonderful ways to try lower PH.
Personally I wouldn't use chemicals such as PH down, etc & RO water would get it down but can be expensive & maintenance heavy.
The guy I purchased my new 5ft tank from kept discus & along with the tank came an RO unit, lots of carbon filters, lots of peat balls and various chemical PH down & PH steady so it would appear that they do work, but I suspect it takes a lot of time & commitment.
Keep us posted on how you get on.

 

[Electric Warrior]

I have heard about people using Indian Almond Leaves, as well as the obvious bogwood, and filtered peat as well to lower PH, but I think that if you do attempt these things, regular testing and possible water changes are a must. There is that backwater extract in bottle stuff, but I don't know too much about it. Bogwood and Almond leaves etc will release a bit of tannin of course, so your water could turn a bit tea coloured (which some people doing blackwater tanks like!) Here is an article about a guy that did a Cambodian setup, which is an acidic, low PH tank, but he used RO water, and this was obviously a new setup, and not an established tank.
Cambodian Blakwater