pH

[modernhamlet]

Water Conditioner, as I think you are describing it, is the one chemical just about everyone does add. It declorinates tap water. It is absolutely essential if there is chlorine or chloromine in your water (read: you use non-well tapwater) Some conditioners don't neutralize chloromine. If your town uses chloromine, make sure you use a conditioner that neutralizes it.

Water Conditioner should not, however, have effected your pH.

I don't think "pH up" type products (unrelated to Water Conditioner) harm fish, but the potentially unstable pH situations they spawn can, and probably do on occasion, especially for beginners.

That's my take at least. I'm a beginner and I won't use it.

 

[thecichlidaddict]

A rapid and considerable change in ph from the use of these products most certainly can harm the fish.

 

[cat.fish]

does bog wood really lower the PH of your tank water?
if so where can i get some for my (soon to be 20g) tank?