Can I Drip Acclimate My Water Change To Change The Ph Of My Aquarium?

I have a 8 gal tank and I've always used conditioned tap-water for it. The PH of my tap water is high; about 7.8 - 8.0,, some times higher. I know it's common to successfully keep Betta in high PH as long as there is consistency, but I'd prefer to create the most ideal environment for my fish. (Betta prefer slightly acidic water.)
I've read a lot of pros and cons online about using spring water for aquariums, but the people I know personally that have used it, have been keeping fish for years and never experience any problems. What is your opinion on using spring water for an aquarium and why?

I am thinking of switching to the spring water in my area because not only does it have a natural PH around 7.0, but I also believe that spring water should be cleaner than our tap water and not contain as much chlorine and heavy metals.

If I decide to switch to spring water and lower the PH of my aquarium, what is a safe way to do this? Here's an example of what I was thinking...
When I do my 25% water change (2g/8g) every week, use 7.6 PH spring water and drip acclimate the water change into the aquarium so there are no sudden changes. Continue to use 7.6 PH every week during 25% water changes until the whole tank is 7.6 PH.
Then, use 7.4 PH for 25% water change every week, continuing to drip acclimate it, and repeat this weekly until the whole tank is 7.4 PH.
Repeat this process again with 7.2 PH and 7.0 PH until I slowly bring the PH down to something neutral.
What is your opinion on this? Do you have another idea for how to safety change PH? What worked for you if you have? Thank you in advance.

 

You're talking a ton of work for not a big change for an easy fish. Bettas don't really require a lower PH unless its a wild caught fish for acid water. If we're just talking petshop splendens, don't even bother messing with the PH. Just add some nice live plants, a sandy substrate, leaf litter and feed him a well balanced diet. That will be way more beneficial than trying to lower the PH a few tenths.

As far as your tap water containing chlorine, use Prime with your water changes to dechlorinate it.

If you're dead set on using different water with a lower PH, then do a small (20% water change) daily for a week straight with the new water. Its that easy.

 

You're talking a ton of work for not a big change for an easy fish. Bettas don't really require a lower PH unless its a wild caught fish for acid water. If we're just talking petshop splendens, don't even bother messing with the PH. Just add some nice live plants, a sandy substrate, leaf litter and feed him a well balanced diet. That will be way more beneficial than trying to lower the PH a few tenths.

As far as your tap water containing chlorine, use Prime with your water changes to dechlorinate it.

If you're dead set on using different water with a lower PH, then do a small (20% water change) daily for a week straight with the new water. Its that easy.

Thank you for the recommendation.

I have plenty of live plants and he eats frozen/raw food, some times live food.
I also always condition the water and test it before adding it to the tank.

My Betta is from a breeder overseas and the water he came in was slightly acidic. I'm considering the change because I deeply care about the fish and want it's environment to be absolutely ideal. So if that means the outcome is having a happier and healthier Betta, it's worth it to me. I also really hate the idea of using tap water because it has so much stuff in it. ):

I know they tend to be hardier fish, but I rather be safe than sorry and do not want to risk any unnecessary stress if I have the time and resources to do this process slowly. My idea may be a bit too spread out, so I will consider speeding it up like you recommend if I think it's safe to do so.

 

An overseas breeder might be a different animal, but most Splendens sold in petshops are coming from overseas breeders anyhow. If you got it as a young fish and have been keeping it in the 8.0, Id stay stick with it. Changing it now won't do anything but cause more work as he's adapted to the 8.0. Ive kept Bettas for over 25 years and only used tap water. I'm on a well with slightly hard water and a PH of 7.4. I don't have heavy metals or chlorine to deal with, but when I lived in the city and had city water I used Prime for water changes as most people do.

 

I have not kept Bettas but think it is really up to you. I appreciate you wanting the best for your fish. I can relate. If it is not a big deal for you to do the change. Then I would say go for it. The cleaner and better water will be welcomed from your fish. Good luck to you and your fish.

 

If you are going to that much effort to provide a certain pH you will most likely also want to compensate for water temperature in your calculations.

 

Depending on the type of spring water, it can still contain chlorine and heavy metals - and be similar if not worse than tap.

Have you considered using tannins - like Indian Catappa leaves or bogwood, or peat - to lower your tap pH naturally?

 

I run 15 blackwater tanks. Some are loaded with leaf litter, driftwood, etc., and the waters so black you can't see the back of the tank. It MIGHT lower the PH by .4 at most on a good day. It just doesn't make a difference.