Lowering Ph

[Gav_B_UK]

What methods can I use to lower PH??? It is currently 8.

The LFS recommended I used a powder which I use with my tap water when doing water changes. It basically does all the usual dechrorination stuff, plus targets the water to a neutral PH.

Thanks in advance....

 

[Xebadir]

What they are suggesting is a KH hardner: Carbonate hardness: This Increases you buffering potential and correctly adjusts your pH to 7 (H2CO3 buffering). However its alotta work to adjust your pH, so if you havent chosen a species yet, maybe look at something that can handle this pH....Cichlid keepers would die for a tap like that .

 

[Joanna69]

What methods can I use to lower PH??? It is currently 8.

The LFS recommended I used a powder which I use with my tap water when doing water changes. It basically does all the usual dechrorination stuff, plus targets the water to a neutral PH.

Thanks in advance....

Welcome to my world. My PH is 8 too. Its been a bit of a blow given I had grand ideas about the type of fish I wanted and now find I'm a bit limited. My tank that I'm setting up is only small, so was aiming at tetras and barbs. Most tetras don't like a high PH but SOME are tolerant of it (just discovered the purple emperor tetra that can go up to 8 ).

In fact after much research and advice your best bet is to go to your local fish shop and ask about the PH of the water their fish live and breed in. Most PH levels given for fish are for those fish IN THE WILD. But the fish from you LFS will by and large have been either bred onsite or locally. So if your water is 8 the likelihood is, so is theirs or their suppliers water too. The fish will be acclimatised to it.

I've also come across a few people who didn't even know PH was important and have merrily had all sorts of fish that, by the book, shouldn't have been able to live, let alone thrive. So its not a hard and fast rule perhaps as much as ridding your tank of ammonia/nitrite/nitrate IS a make or break situation.

Just wanted to be a bit upbeat about your situation. Don't be downhearted! I was initially but then I realised there was hope! Oh, and you can put peat filter into your tank too. As Peat is acidic it brings down the PH of the tank apparently. And bogwood does too for the same reason. If you wanted to bring down your PH I'd do that. Nicer for the fish rather than yet more chemicals out of a bottle.

But first advice - go to some LFS's and ask them. Nothing like a bit of local specific knowledge.

 

[mark.w.jones]

This place does peat granules:

http/www.seapets.co.uk/product-details/s...tegory/591.html

and these do peat fibre:

http/www.fishbitz.co.uk/index.asp?functi...&productid=1576

Have never used either thou. My only worry would be how stable they keep your pH as I'm sure it would rise again as the granules / fibres ran out.

Also found this at Doctors Foster & Smith

Fluval Peat
Directions For Fluval Peat Granules
Fluval Peat Granules are a highly concentrated form of peat. When used, be sure to monitor the pH and hardness of water regularly. Normally, Peat Granules are used in the middle module of the Fluval MSF Canister Flter. They can also be placed in the lowest level, depending on available space. Rinse thoroughly to remove small particulate matter. Fluval Peat Granules can be mixed with other media types, but is best to contain them within a media bag. Replace monthly when pH begins to rise or the brownish coloration begins to fade. Peat Granules may also be used to nourish plants by burying some granules in the substrate, close to the roots of live plants.

General Information For Fluval Peat Granules

Features:

Highly concentrated to naturally soften and acidify water
Creates ideal breeding and rearing conditions
Fluval Peat Granules offer a highly effective, natural method to soften water and achieve proper pH values for many tropical fish. Peat Granules contain valuable substances such as a variety of salts, hormones, humic acid, tanning agents and assorted trace elements essential to proper life processes. Use Peat Granules to maintain or adjust water conditions and to satisfy the breeding requirements for many ornamental tropical fish.

NOTE: Do NOT replace all filter materials simultaneously. Stagger media replacement to ensure that the bacterial population remains viable, allowing for rapid seeding in the filter. Media replacement is most effective when combined with regular water changes. Rinse any media to be re-used in aquarium water. Tap water often contains harmful chlorine and/or chloramines that can kill valuable populations of beneficial bacteria.

Directions For Fluval Peat Fiber
Fluval Peat Fibers should be used in the middle module of the Fluval MSF Canister Filter. Rinse thoroughly to remove small particulate matter. Fluval Peat Fiber should be changed when pH begins to rise or the brownish coloration begins to fade. Fluval Peat Fibers may also be used inside the aquarium to nourish plants. Simply place live plant roots into Peat Fibers and bury the plant in the substrate.

General Information For Fluval Peat Fiber

Features:

Improves water conditions
Promotes growth of live plants
Stabilizes pH at a desirable level
For Freshwater use only
Fluval Peat Fiber is a highly effective filter material that contains many valuable substances required by tropical fish and plants. Contains a variety of salts, hormones, humic acid, tanning agents and assorted trace elements, essential to proper life processes.