Lowering PH

[Paul_MTS]

I'm going to lower my ph in my tanks or just my main tank mainly as plecs like it a tad lower being up at 8.4 plus i'm ordering from Trimar which really triggered the idea off.

I'ved bought some Aquaruim Doctor Acid No. 18 and just wondering how fast I can bring the PH down? it says to do the dose then repeat after 30mins if needed, i'm wondering if thats too quick?

 

[enchanted]

Personally I wouldn't use chemicals to lower PH. I have the same issue as my next tank will be a Discus tank. I'm going to be using a combination of Pressurized CO2 and possibly RO water. Either of these is a better method.

 

[Lateral Line]

Unless you really know your chemistry, trying to adjust your pH by whatever means can be disastrous. If your new fish have come from a very different water type, acclimate them gradually to your local conditions, that's what the lfs does after all.

Chemical pH modifiers in particular can cause all manner of problems from vast pH swings to huge algal blooms.

 

[Paul_MTS]

ah thats a bummer!!

isn't there any kind of substrate i can stick in my filter that will lower PH?

don't really want to resort to RO water as that will take ages to a do a water change.

 

[reg2k2]

Filtering w/ peat lowers pH. Not sure about introducing it to an established tank...perhaps swishing a bag of it in some replacemt water 'til that's a little lower, and continuing that over time...and when the tank's gotten to the point where you want it, adding it to the filter.

Dunno tho...do the research!! Maybe someone who uses that method will chime in.

 

[drunkenmonkey]

I'm pretty sure if you use peat in your filter, or add some driftwood it'll lower your pH. It will also give the water a sort of brownish tint. hth

 

[CFC]

Everything you ever wanted to know about lowering pH with peat.

http/hjem.get2net.dk/Best_of_the_Web/peat%20page.html

Warning, unless you understand water chemistry well this may leave you with a headache

 

[Paul_MTS]

I was just planning on stick a bag of it in my filter then monitoring the water for a while.

All sounded a bit complecated washing it out etc first!! i'll have another ready of it tomorrow buit i think i'ved come to the conclusion that i will just leave it considering the Trimar fish i buy will have to be acclimatized at work first, being the only place i can receive them and get them into water.

 

[FishDan]

Most fish, regardless of their natural or prefered pH level will do fine in just about most pH levels. So long as you aclimate them slowly to the altered pH level. It's generally the most sensitive and often when you want to breed fish that the pH becomes a bigger factor.

\Dan