all_waze

How do I soften the water in an already established tank? Ph now is 8.4 and the water is currently extremely hard and need to get it down. Thnx

lew2000

Before you attempt to change your water chemistry, i would advise checking the waters GH, and KH and pH so you have baselines. Sometimes even with a high GH, water can have a low KH, and this can determine how you want to proceed, since a low KH can allow for pH swings.

Changing GH (water hardness) will definitely change your KH - which can affect pH stability and possibly cause pH swings (especially when nitrates are involved in an aquarium). IMHO, if your bettas are not showing any stress i would leave things alone. High GH is alot tougher to adjust than softer water, without significantly affecting water chemistry. The only two ways i know of too safely adjust GH down is the use of RO water or peat moss in the filter(s). The higher the GH the greater the buffering capacity and the greater difficulty in lowering pH. You can try buffering agents (KH) and then pH adjustments. Don't use phosphate pillows to lower pH as this will increase phosphates, also don't use distilled water as this can change all water values very quickly and definitley stress fish. If you are not using CO2, then you can bubble in CO2, and this will slightly lower your pH even with high GH values.

Heidi125

This may be a silly Question, but here goes.
Can you use peat moss from a garden center?

lew2000

sphagnum peat moss as long there are aren't any pesticides or fertilizers added. Take a 5gal bucket and fill to halfway with water (add dechloriantor/water treatment) and then fill with peat moss to about 6 inches below the rim. Let sit for about a week - stir it up usually once a day - and then remove the floating material - i use a fish net. The you are good to go.

KLA6373

I also have an issue with my water much like has been described here.
Amonia and Nitrites are oppm, Nitrates are 20ppm, and my pH in the tank is 8.2, from the tap 7.2. I do not have a way to test gH and kH at this time. What I do know is that I have a cust that is biulding up on everything, like a lime scale. I am sure this is what it is. With the change in the pH from tap to tank, would this be in indicator of high gH or kH? What should I do to eliminate the scale and reduce my pH back to 7.2?

Shawnie

You dont need to change ph...your fish will acclimate to it...as long as it doesnt change all the time, and is stable, it does more harm than good to mess with the readings..never medicate for ph as it deffinately will stress the fish....your tank is good with the readings you have...how are your fish doing?

KLA6373

They have dull colors, but other than that, they are fine. I am good with the pH staying where it is. I dont like messing with pH its too hard and can ruin everthing. I am trying to figure out why every surface in my tank is covered with the crunchy crap. I scrap it off and a week later it is back. I know its because the water is hard, but would the pH reading indicate if it is a gH or kH problem? I am so sick of my tank looking like it is something from the bottom of the waste water tank. My plants dont do well becuase they cant outgrow the crunchy stuff. Using softened water didnt seem to change this much at all. It slowed it down, but it still happened.

Shawnie

you can try some driftwood..that lowers the ph...

KLA6373

Lowering the pH wont ultimately effect the crunchy problem that is the real issue though, right?

lew2000

Unfortuantely the PH doesn't affect limescale - since that is minerals in the water. KHis a measure of (carbonate and bicarbonate ions) which is carbonate hardness or temporary hardness - this what you are seeing - the same material on showerheads, etc. The only two ways i am aware of is to either use RO or CO2 injection or use of PH modifiers that adjust the KH, or peat moss(peat is placed . RO units for aquariums start at about 100.00 i believe (don't know what the output is). Use of ro though requires adding trace elements that are removed. You then mix the RO water with your tap water to get the KH you want (KH is buffering) I think API makes a PH Down product. I use peat moss and let sit in a bucket for about a week (20 gallon bucket) then mix in tap water and test and then add to the aqaurium - seems to control the hardwater here.

lew2000

I have tried this product now for 4 months (Marc Weiss Keta-Peat Nuggets) works very well - easier and less messy than the peat method. i was buying Ketapang leaf, and almond leaf to add as well from an LFS - now it is all combined. PH stabalizes at PH 6.5 and definitley lowers KH.