Acidic Water--No matter what

I got the test kits today and here are the results : (for all 4 enclosures)

GH=180
KH=40
pH=6.0 ((higher in one tank)
No2=0 (20 in one tank)
n03=0

TDS tester hasn't arrived yet. I removed the alder cones and dose liberally with Tums, Snello, fresh veg. Their shells are looking better, but this is a bandaid solution, I know. I NEED the pH up (without chemicals--tried that and didn't work for long) and stay up.
I've been reading that crushed coral helps. Wouldn't oyster shell help too? They use it for chickens. Argonite is another substrate that is purpoted to stabilize pH and bring up calcium levels. Anyone have luck with any of these that have had acidity troubles in the past?

 

I've read many people use crush coral in there tanks to stabilize there ph levels. There are some rifts lake additives that increase and buffer pH for when you are keeping African cichlids. May be something to look into

 

your GH is ok, but KH is a bit low.

most ppl use crushed coral. oyster shell will work too, I used to raise chickens and doves.

 

I got the test kits today and here are the results : (for all 4 enclosures)

GH=180
KH=40
pH=6.0 ((higher in one tank)
No2=0 (20 in one tank)
n03=0

TDS tester hasn't arrived yet. I removed the alder cones and dose liberally with Tums, Snello, fresh veg. Their shells are looking better, but this is a bandaid solution, I know. I NEED the pH up (without chemicals--tried that and didn't work for long) and stay up.
I've been reading that crushed coral helps. Wouldn't oyster shell help too? They use it for chickens. Argonite is another substrate that is purpoted to stabilize pH and bring up calcium levels. Anyone have luck with any of these that have had acidity troubles in the past?

I recently added a small amount (about a cup and a half) of crushed coral to the canister filter for my 75 gallon tank.

My tap water has always had low and unstable levels of pH. The crushed coral has raised the pH slightly and, more importantly, is keeping it more stable than it had been.

 

I'm going to try that. The problem isn't the tap. It tests fine from there. Something (idk what) is continually lowering the pH in ALL enclosures, even though they have different or no substrates, plants, fish.

 

I have tried aragonite. I have a handful in my tank (it's ugly!!) If it works - it is very very slow.....

I have been running API pH buffer powder for almost 3 years now. They have several pH levels available - I run pH 7 buffer....

I start off with 1/8 teaspoon per day checking pH daily.. It will take a several days or a week for the pH to come up - you want it to come up slowly so it doesn't shock the fish.. Once it gets to pH 7 - dump a tablespoon or two to hold it there for a while. I add a tablespoon every month or two to keep things stable with water changes.

 

Is the Ph only low or instabil ?

 

I will be following this with interest. I also have an issue with low ph. Out of the tap is 7.0 but in my tank it drops to 6.0. I have tetras in a planted tank. Do plants have an effect on the pH?