Question: How can I lower the pH naturally?

fish_newbie · June 12th, 2009

Hi, when i purchased my tank, the filtration system comes with crushed coral, ammonia removing blocks, nitrate removing block and carbon. When i realize that the coral raises the pH level, i took it out immediately, unfortunately, the pH rose to around 8. But luckily no fish died, now i simply cant bring it back down. I've done multiple water changes and got some driftwood to help bring the pH down because i know PH DOWN wouldnt work and it will just come back after a few days. Its been over a month now and my pH is still around 7.6, does any one know how to bring it down naturally?

deathtroll · June 12th, 2009

you could add some more driftwood or some peat moss to lower it some more

Angela_96 · June 13th, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by fish_newbie

Hi, when i purchased my tank, the filtration system comes with crushed coral, ammonia removing blocks, nitrate removing block and carbon. When i realize that the coral raises the pH level, i took it out immediately, unfortunately, the pH rose to around 8. But luckily no fish died, now i simply cant bring it back down. I've done multiple water changes and got some driftwood to help bring the pH down because i know PH DOWN wouldnt work and it will just come back after a few days. Its been over a month now and my pH is still around 7.6, does any one know how to bring it down naturally?

Take out the crushed coral. The crushed coral will raise the ph. Put a small bag of peat moss in the filter in its place it will lower it. Avoid using chemicals, they mess with your tanks buffering capacity and the ph will be unstable.

aquarist48 · June 13th, 2009

Hello and Welcome to Fish Lore! Why are you wanting to lower your pH? Most fish will adapt to the pH that we have to offer them from the tap. (with chlorine removed). 7.0 to 8.0 is a pretty good range.

fish_newbie · June 13th, 2009

i want to lower because most my fish are tetras and livebearers, which prefer pH under 7, so is it still all right to leave my pH around 7.6 ?

aquarist48 · June 13th, 2009

Honestly I think your fish will do great at 7.6. As long as you acclimate the new fish into your tank properly everything should be fine. Just in case here is a link to acclimation.
http://www.fishlore.com/acclimating-tropicalfish.htm
Best of luck for a healthy tank and LOTS of fry!

Angela_96 · June 13th, 2009

Alot of fish short of a certain few species tolerate a neutral ph of 7.0-7.5 with no issue.
I have west african cichlids that for breeding need a ph of 6.0-6.5 and they can "thrive" at 7.5 if need be. I am into breeding my fish so I am using peat to lower the ph for that purpose, but if the tank was just for show I would just leave the ph where it is. The raising and lowering of ph requires a co nstant eye, and a lot of testing to keep it where it needs to be.

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