mmmxpoptarts

I have a really high pH (almost 8) and I'm planning on housing a community of King Bettas, who like a lower ph between 5-6. How can I lower my ph?

thorpbrian

The ways that I know of to naturally lower your ph are driftwood and peat moss. They really like ph between 5 and 6? That seems low for any type of fish.

mmmxpoptarts

Actually, I'm not quite positive. Every site gives me a different number. One site said they acclimate well, I may just not do anything afterall.

thorpbrian

Usually a steady ph is best and most fish will acclimate to any ph between 6 and 8 as long as it doesn't fluctuate. However, 8 is a little bit high. I'd let your tap water set for 24 hours and test it again. You'll get a more accurate reading. If it's still around 8 I'd suggest some peat to lower your ph.

mmmxpoptarts

I think they have peat at my LFS, I'll have to check. Thanks!

AGH! Somehow my ph lowered itself. My tank just finished cycling today and I checked the ph and it's 6.4. Now I'm worried that it's fluctuating because when I started the cycle it was 7.8.

Shawnie

thats very normal for a tank going through the cycle process...dont panic..

mmmxpoptarts

I'm not very worried, I mean I wanted it to go down. It probably won't stay down though will it?

Shawnie

its so newly cycled, it can fluctuate for a bit, especially with water changes...with your tap being so high, id so smaller but more frequent water changes instead of just one big one a week....

TedsTank

another way to lower Ph is to add a measured amount of distilled water or RO water during changes. The exact amount you will have to determine as in 1 cup per gallon or more. Driftwood and peat will discolor you water with tannins for a while.

Be aware once you start this procedure (any of them) it must be continued so your PH remains stable. Even with driftwood or peat, which eventually will leach out and your PH will start going up again.

Example is that I use pure RO water and must add 1/2 gallon of my tap water to every 6 of RO water....to raise my PH to 6.4

You can do the opposite by adding X amount of Distilled or RO water to lower your Ph.

I always make approx 20 gallons at a time for water changes and store it in 7 gallon containers from one of the "mart" stores.

meg1220

Live plants are also a good way to keep pH down. At night, they release CO2, which will lower the pH. Some easy to keep Java ferns and Java moss might do the trick.

Keep in mind that temperature also also affects pH, so when you test your tap water, test it at the temperature at which you would add it to your tank.