Ph Question…

[OlWolf]

I’ve kept shrimp for a couple of years. My well-water has no chemicals, but the Ph is on the acid-side of things. So I thoroughly rinse crushed coral, dump a cup into an empty water-jug, top that off with water - and let that sit a couple days before using that to do a partial water-change. This neutralizes the acid and adds calcium for shrimp exoskeletons. But that also makes the water harder than the straight well-water.
Now exploring the possibility of another betta if I can decide on where to put another tank. Hearing they like water neutral but softer than the shrimp… SO - my question: How do I push acid water to neutral without adding calcium that makes the water harder??

 

[Uberhoust]

Just some questions, what is the pH, KH, and GH of your water. I haven't heard of a well that produces soft water yet, it is a bit unusual and suggests a unique aquifer or a very rapid infilling of the aquifer from surface waters. Without knowledge of the starting point it will be difficult to make suggestions. If you have been keeping shrimp for a while using your process I would be cautious to move away from that. If your water is soft(assuming this based on the Calcium comment) and acidic it might be ideal for a number of fish that prefer that type of environment.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

I do it a lot simpler. I also have some veggie sticks with added calcium I feed. I will also dump a bit of crushed coral into the water or else I add a small amount of SeaChem Equilibrium. I do not use much as I am looking to add what is in it, but not in enough quantity to start raising my GH by much at all.

Guaranteed Analysis Amounts per 1 g
Soluble Potash (K2O)	23.0%
Calcium (Ca)	8.06%
Magnesium (Mg)	2.41%
Iron (Fe)	0.11%
Manganese (Mn)	0.06%

 

[GaryE]

I have a friend with a very soft well, so while it isn't common, it is out there.

I have very soft and mildly acidic (pH 6.6) blackwater lake sourced tap, and I love it. It might not be good for shrimp, but for a betta, it would be fine. Just go with what flows.

 

[Uberhoust]

Not to sidetrack your thread but I reviewed some data on wells and acid well water in the Eastern States is not very unusual. Seems two main causes, bedrock or substrate and acidic infilling of the aquafer from the surface.