michael68

Hi everyone!Happy sunday! I just purchased a API master test kit.Test results compared to the jungle products kit i bought yesterday.ammonia still 0 nitrites still 0 nitrates 20.The only new reading is pH.I had to use the high range drops since the standard was off the charts.My reading on ph is 8.0,How do i lower this without adding any more chemicals to my tank.I have had tanks for years and never had to add chemicals for any reason,i just did 25% or less water changes once a week and just kept up on tank maintenance.

flyin-lowe

If you have room for it a piece of driftwood will naturally lower pH. I don't know what kind of fish you plan on adding but most will adapt to the higher pH if acclimated slowly. Since it's not super high it might be better to leave it if it stay stable and let the fish adapt. I have a community tank that has been going since last October and the pH stays between 8.2-8.4.

michael68

check out my profile on the fish i have.Some are fine with that ph and some are used to lower.Anyway they have all been living fine for almost three months.plus i did a redoo on my nitrates and it is at 5.0 not a 20.0

Prince Powder

If your fish have been living fine for 3 months I see no reason to fiddle with the pH. Most fish will adapt to a pH outside their normal range. Keeping your pH stable is far more important than hitting the perfect number. After 3 months I think it's pretty safe to assume that they've all adapted. Just test your tap water and make sure that your tap pH is not extremely different from your tank. If it is very different then you'll need to keep your water changes on the smaller side so you don't introduce large amounts of water with a different pH than what your fish are accustomed to. If they are the same than you're good to go!