Lower pH/Softening Water

[tigerbarb420]

I have recently found out that one of my fish requires soft/acidic water. My problem is that I have Hard/Alkaline water... both in my aquarium.. and from my tap. I am quite new to this aspect of the hobby. In the past my main concern was staying ontop of water changes and just trying to keep the water quality stable(Ammonia, NitrItes and NitrAtes to their appropriate levels).

Now I would like to create optimal conditions for my Bolivian Ram(which I recently acquired upon an impulse purchase) and I would also like to add some neon tetras(which to my understanding require soft/acidic water as well).

I am wondering if anyone can help guide me through the process of softening my water/lowering my pH. I don't want to just go out and buy some products that I don't know how to properly use cuz I fear of rapidly changing these things and I don't know how to change these stats slowly. Let alone I don't know how to do it at all.

It would be much appreciated if someone would try to guide me through this process and maybe point me in certain directions.. perhaps link some articles or other threads that I can use in reference.

Oh yes.. here are my most recent test results

Sat. Aug 06 - Fresh, Dechlorinated tapwater results
pH - 7.9-8.0
GH - 180 mg/L
KH - 110 mg/L

Sat. Aug 06 - Tank before water change
pH - 7.9-8.0
GH - 140 mg/L
KH - 80 mg/L

Sat. Aug 06 - After 25% water change
pH - 7.9-8.0
GH - 160 mg/L
KH - 80 mg/L

Hopefully these will help determine how to go about doing this.

 

[tttnjfttt]

Here is a good pinned article on this http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=59467

 

[@ombomb]

As a general rule you should avoid using chemicals to alter the pH of your water. Fish are extremely adaptable and have far more chance acclimitising to conditions than surviving fluctuations that use of chemicals can cause. It's worth remembering that if you bought the fish locally, then they are already used to the local water conditions.

 

[Vivid-Dawn]

As @ombom pointed out, chemicals aren't a good choice. In my experience, they don't even work! I tried Aquarium Pharmaceutical's "pH Down", and it did nothing, even with a double dose. So then I tried Jungle Fizz Tabs, and they didn't do anything.
I'm trying peat moss in the filter right now, since that seems to be the best (and more natural) way of doing it, as far as I have researched. I just put it in yesterday, so it might be a good week before I get any significant results. But I could give an update then, if ya want!

 

[RedShark]

How big is the tank your working with tigerbarb420?

 

[Bloo]

Those readings should actually be fine for Rams - they are not ideal, but better than fiddling with your water chemistry and have fluctuating parameters.
Here is an excellent article on PH, GH & KH.

 

[tigerbarb420]

Wow, great articles and thanks for the input guys.

I see it was stressed in both articles that altering the pH can greatly stress the fish and maybe even result in death. I also agree with you guys when you say not to use any chemicals to try to alter the pH. If I were to try I would go with the peat in the filter or else a combination of r/o water with tapwater.

My one questioin is.... If I decide to try using peat in the filter how would I go about that to super slowly alter the pH to where it is not too rapid to affect the fish?


Vivid-Dawn, I would much appreciate if you would update me with your results and how it went with the peat media in the filter.

and Redshark, my tank is only 10g... currently housing 1 Bolivian Ram and 1 Zebra Danio(Which I intend to give to a friend and replace with a school of neons or cardinals).

 

[fishmadmike]

Hi
Like you I have hard water and the way I got around it was to dilute my water with RO water bought from my LFS this way you can ensure you do it gradually so as not to stress your fish. I had lost a few fish leading up to me doing this but I never lost any Neons even though my Gh was 17dGH

 

[tigerbarb420]

What does 17dGH translate to in mg/L?