Natural pH Buffer?

[njparton]

Although my tap water is pH 7, by the time I've added dechlorinator, the pH of the water has dropped to 6.8 and after 4 or 5 days my tank water is at pH 6.

I've tried using a neutral buffer powder from Seachem but didn't realise it was so full of phosphates - I now blame it for a recent algea bloom, so I won't be using it again!

Is there anything natural I can add to my water to buffer it's tendency to become acidic between water changes?

I'd rather not add anything that affects any of my other water parameters (such as limestone chips) as the water in my area is very soft.

My tank is well planted and I run an air pump and 10 cm air stone over night to help reduce the C02 given off by the plants.

 

[George Farmer]

It sounds like your tap water has a very low buffering capacity (KH). There are a few products which contain no nitrates or phosphates but increase hardness. I have used Kent's RO Right which increases General Hardness but little KH and Kent's pH Stable which boosts KH but will increase pH too. I'm currently using Tropic Marin Re-Mineral F which boosts GH and KH. All these are designed for RO water but will benefit your very soft water and help avoid pH fluctuations. Good luck.

 

[AquaNut]

You have a real mix of fish in your tank, but a lot of your fish prefer soft, acidic water. The cories, angelfish, cardinals, silver dollars.. to name a few (don't remember what else you have listed in your sig ). If all your fish are healthy, the others have probably adjusted to the lower pH, too. Most fish will adjust quite easily to lower or higher than ideal pH, as long as your overall water quality is good. My preference has always been to let my tanks run how they run, with regards to pH,rather than messing around with chemicals all the time. Of course, I realize this wouldn't work with more specialized fish, but it seems to serve me well for all the common fw tropical varieties.

 

[njparton]

It sounds like your tap water has a very low buffering capacity (KH). There are a few products which contain no nitrates or phosphates but increase hardness. I have used Kent's RO Right which increases General Hardness but little KH and Kent's pH Stable which boosts KH but will increase pH too. I'm currently using Tropic Marin Re-Mineral F which boosts GH and KH. All these are designed for RO water but will benefit your very soft water and help avoid pH fluctuations. Good luck.

Great answer, thanks

 

[njparton]

You have a real mix of fish in your tank, but a lot of your fish prefer soft, acidic water. The cories, angelfish, cardinals, silver dollars.. to name a few (don't remember what else you have listed in your sig ). If all your fish are healthy, the others have probably adjusted to the lower pH, too. Most fish will adjust quite easily to lower or higher than ideal pH, as long as your overall water quality is good. My preference has always been to let my tanks run how they run, with regards to pH,rather than messing around with chemicals all the time. Of course, I realize this wouldn't work with more specialized fish, but it seems to serve me well for all the common fw tropical varieties.

I'm just worried that if I ever have to leave my tank for longer than a week (holidays etc) then the pH will fall even further than 6.

 

[Alien Anna]

I'm just worried that if I ever have to leave my tank for longer than a week (holidays etc) then the pH will fall even further than 6.

In my experience it just drops to a certain level and then sticks there. It's very difficult to make the pH drop lower than the buffering capacity will allow.

 

[AquaNut]

This is what I would do. I don't know if it's 'correct' or not. I'd leave your tank for a couple of weeks. Just make sure you monitor your nitrates and observe your fish closely to make sure they're alright. See how far your pH drops. I bet it won't go far. If it keeps dropping and dropping, you obviously do need to adjust your buffering capacity. If not, I'd let it be.

 

[njparton]

This is what I would do. I don't know if it's 'correct' or not. I'd leave your tank for a couple of weeks. Just make sure you monitor your nitrates and observe your fish closely to make sure they're alright. See how far your pH drops. I bet it won't go far. If it keeps dropping and dropping, you obviously do need to adjust your buffering capacity. If not, I'd let it be.

I think you guys are correct, I seems to stop around the 6 mark.