Redtech

So we've had our new tank set up for about 4 days now. I just ended up using our tap water which is well water.

On hardness, our water maxed out on the test strip.

The pH was the highest possible also and the alkalinity is high.

Sorry I don't have any numbers. I'm at work right now. But I'm using Jungle 5 in 1 test strips. I wanted to buy one of those API ones but our wal-mart doesn't have a good selection and I haven't had time to buy a proper test kit yet. Probably take the drive to PetSmart this weekend.

So how do I lower the PH?

Jess

Hi Redtech,

Lowering Ph is very difficult. The problem is you want to find a way to control it so you don't have wild swings. That will kill your fish. What I would do is research what kinds of fish you can keep in your type of water, and go from there.

One suggestion is the Rainbow fish. They can tolerate pH up to 8.5. But 7.8 being the suggested level.
Here's a site I found. Home of the Rainbow Fish. It looks like they have great information.
http://members.optushome.com.au/chelmon/

I would suggest getting an RO unit but think if this is a first time set up you want to make it as easy and as pleasant for yourself as possible. RO (reverse osmosis) unit.? They are expensive.
Try to get a reliable test kit. (not strips) And really find out what you're working with. (you can buy them online as well)

Best of luck.
Jess

jack--sos

One way of lowering you ph, but not by much, is to add natural drift wood

Jess

That's true, drift wood does help to lower pH. My tap water measures 7.0. Since I have a large piece of drift wood in my 55 gal. It now measure 6.4. A nice pH for discus.

Shawnie

id get the test kit first as jess said so you can get a reliable reading before worrying about the numbers.....then go from there....ph's are a super issue as long as they are stable....fish acclimate to different degree's of ph but they cant tolerate ups and downs....other than natural ways, aka the driftwood, I wouldnt use any meds or chemicals of any kind to change it right now..once you go through the cycle process, those numbers will probably change again... goodluck!