ph using phosphoric acid to lower???

[steve sisson]

hi guys i have 1500 ltrs of water with a ph of 7.8 -8.00 kh of 3 in a book i have it says use bicarbonate soda to raise or phosphoric acid to decrese

the tank set is as follows

dark stones no plants 2 small drift wood,new peat in bags 2 days ago. 450 ltrs in sump 950 ltrs in 20 tanks today i took 1 ltr added 2 mil of ph 7.0 it works but it chemical and i would need 3.00 ltrs to fix problem at $50.00 per 400mls cost to much any ideas appreciated cheers

[Discusguru]

what fish are you keeping and why do you want to lower the PH. The phos acid is ok to use.

[steve sisson]

seem to be losing bettas have varyity of comm fish

where to you get phos acid from cheers

[Warren]

I wouldn't use phosphoric. It's mostly phosphorous based. If you use it you're likely to end up with algae and lots of it.

If you must use acids to lower pH, use sulphuric as it has no negative effects.

You'd be much better to use peat...

[alanmin4304]

I think other than in extreme cases or when trying to encurage fish to breed you are better to get the fish used to your water than the other way around. Once started you will be at it forever. I would agree that if you have, to peat is the best, particularly if you want to breed as the tanins etc also encourage that.