jwokmuba2

well i need t know how to lower my pH naturally because i am goin to buy some cardinal tetras and i need to lower my ph from 7.2 to about 6.8, what can i do?

matt6765

Drift wood lower the pH

TedsTank

driftwood and Oak leaves will lower it slowly as it leaches into the tank....how much and how fast I can't tell ya.....but is not an instant thing.

Oak leaves are best in the fall when they turn red (more tannins). I recently did fresh dried ones and it just wasn't the sames as the fall leaves.

jwokmuba2

thanks, i have a large piece of DW that i need to put in the tank, but it needs to be cleaned first, might take about a week or so. but i guess that will do the trick, again thanks for the advice.

MizRamzi

There also, Black Extract.

pepetj

Why not try to acclimate your Cardinals to 7.2 and leave your pH stay there?

If you decide to tamper with it, beware that you are getting into a high level of maintenance demand. I do it, and I love it.


So if you still want to get to 6.8 with natural means I know these three:

A) Get some Peat Fiber (I love Fluval's). I don't recommend the peat pellets unless you have a canister. If your KH is at or close to 5.5dKH use at most 1/3 of the bag (that's what I needed for my 29gal bow before I added CO2) but remember to keep an eye on you KH readings! If the KH reaches 2.5 be extra careful, consider removing some or most of the peat. Use a bit less if your KH is around 4, a bit more if above 6.5.

B) Also consider DIY CO2 or an entry level CO2 system. One or two 2L bottles should drop your pH from 7.2 to 6.8 easily. Add an airstone that works only at night. I wouldn't combine peat with CO2 for drops as low as you look to attain.

C) Another way of lowering pH naturally: Use Indian Almond Tree Leaves (I managed to drop pH from 7.8 to 7.2 in a 145gal tank this way). Remember to replace the leaves every two or three weeks.



Pepetj
Santo Domingo

whisper

You can also use Indian Almond leaves. Only thing is it stains the water to a tea color.

small_fry

speaking of hardness... i know its a little off topic but i tried to understand it and how it relates to pH, i think i might be a little slow because i dont get it at all and i tried to test it with the API liquid test kit, and it was all messed up... the instructions said the water will turn from orange to green... the test liquid was already green? so therefore it goes green as soon as it hits the water... pls help me.. P.S. im blonde hahahahahahahahaha

jwokmuba2

well if i just put this large piece of dw, it will lower the ph anyway, right? the only reason i want to lower it is to make sure that the cardinals will be in the right ph range so they will be as happy as posible. i bought 3 about a week ago and two died. i dont know why they died, but if my ph was lower it might help. . i might just leave it since this cardinal is doin fine and has no sign of sickness or shock. mabey i just got some bad fish

aquarist48

Good morning. Here is a link you will find helpful concerning pH. Too, great tips above.
Properly Maintaining the pH in a Freshwater Aquarium - Rate My Fish Tank
Have a great weekend!
Ken

SCUGrad

I tend to agree with pepetj about having your cardinals acclimate to 7.2 as opposed to lowering the pH to 6.8. A lot (not all) cardinal tetras in the aquarium trade are farm raised and are pretty used to pH not in the 6.8 range. I have neons liviing in 7.4 pH water and are thriving.

That said, I need to lower the pH in my other tank. The pH on that is a whopping 8.4 and I can't understand why. The kH is about 8.

I think if the tannins have all leaked out then driftwood won't really lower your pH. Besides tannins give your water a reddish tint(which you may or may not like). Peat is another way to go but supposedly darkens your water.

jwokmuba2

well agian i have come to the cuclusion to leave my ph alone, thanks all, you guy rock

TedsTank

Good idea...most of the Cardinals today raised on farms and should do fine in your water parameters. Most breeders have them acclimated to higher Ph on the farms...etc.