Dixon1990 Posted January 27, 2008 Report Share Posted January 27, 2008 How can i adjust my PH level without changing the colour of the water? Its 7.6 From the tap and i want just below 7. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VinsonMassif Posted January 27, 2008 Report Share Posted January 27, 2008 You could add driftwood. My tap water pH is 7.2 (when left for 24hours) and my tank water is constant 6.4. Each tank has a couple of different peices of wood in them, the substrate is inert sand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim r Posted January 27, 2008 Report Share Posted January 27, 2008 What are you wanting to keep at this ph? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted January 27, 2008 Report Share Posted January 27, 2008 If you want soft acid water then the easiest way is to collect rainwater. In the city it is generally contaminated with sulphur dioxide which will make the water acid. The other way is to add an acid such as hydrochloric (available from bunnings etc as it is used as a soldering flux) If you use the latter you will be very busy chasing the pH as it will probably not stay stable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smidey Posted January 27, 2008 Report Share Posted January 27, 2008 it is best to do it with driftwood or similar, not a good idea to use PH down products. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixon1990 Posted January 27, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2008 Thanks for the answers. I think the driftwood sound like the best way right now. Im planning on keeping quite a few tetras and bolivian Rams and i have read they like PH level of 6-7.I have heard of peat being used for lowering PH Would this work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smidey Posted January 27, 2008 Report Share Posted January 27, 2008 Thanks for the answers. I think the driftwood sound like the best way right now. Im planning on keeping quite a few tetras and bolivian Rams and i have read they like PH level of 6-7.I have heard of peat being used for lowering PH Would this work? there are many ways of lowering it but i wouldn't be to worried about it. in this case i would add driftwood & i think it would lower it to around 7.2 or so. the fish will be fine in that, my community with angels, tetras was at 7.4 & they did very well for the year or so i had them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayci Posted January 27, 2008 Report Share Posted January 27, 2008 If you want soft acid water then the easiest way is to collect rainwater. In the city it is generally contaminated with sulphur dioxide which will make the water acid Not much chance of getting any amount of rainwater this time of year. I am wanting rain water too, to try an trigger a spawning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixon1990 Posted January 27, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2008 Cool. Ive got cardinals,neons, emperors, black widows and penguins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted January 27, 2008 Report Share Posted January 27, 2008 I am getting enough. A200 litre barrel and one of those gadgets advertised on TV for cleaning your gutters works a treat. Don't yopu know how to do a rain dance up north? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ianab Posted January 27, 2008 Report Share Posted January 27, 2008 Peat and driftwood will both tend to lower the pH gradually. The idea is the same with both, acidic tannins leach into the water and gradually change the pH. Better for the fish that this happens gradually rather than dosing with chemicals and changing it suddenly. Using a small bag of peat in your filter you can adjust the amount to balance your water changes and still keep the pH fairly stable. Remember pH will also tend to fall over time due to the Nitrates, so the tank should be slightly lower than the tap water anyway. Like the Alan suggests a rainwater barrel fitted to one of the house downpipes will generally catch plenty of nice soft water. With a decent barrel you will have enough for several water changes even after a short shower. If some mozzie wrigglers appear in it... bonus live food Cheers Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixon1990 Posted January 27, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2008 I think i will go for a large piece of driftwood. Will the tannins stop the light getting to the plants? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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