Increasing PH for guppies?

I have naturally soft tap water with parameters consisting of a PH of 6.6, GH 3 and KH 0-1. I have play sand in my 20 gallon long which buffers the water to a PH of 7.4, GH 4.5 and KH 2.2.

I've always wanted to keep guppies but i'm nervous of them not thriving because of my soft water. They would be housed with a long fin bristlenose, shrimp, snails, and a honey gourami. What steps do I need to take to harden the water in the most frustration-free way possible that won't cause major swings in PH?

Thanks!

 

Your better off trying one or 2 guppies but acclimate them slowly. A stable PH is better than trying to keep it stable with different means. Most aquarium fish will be able to adjust to different water parameters. You can wait for others to chime in with other opinions but that's my .02 on it. Good Luck!

 

Your better off trying one or 2 guppies but acclimate them slowly. A stable PH is better than trying to keep it stable with different means. Most aquarium fish will be able to adjust to different water parameters. You can wait for others to chime in with other opinions but that's my .02 on it. Good Luck!

It would be great if I could do that, I hate tampering with water parameters. I saw some very pretty male snow white guppies at my lfs today but I don't want to get them on impulse without making sure they'd be okay.

 

It would be great if I could do that, I hate tampering with water parameters. I saw some very pretty male snow white guppies at my lfs today but I don't want to get them on impulse without making sure they'd be okay.

Ask the store where you seen them what their PH is and that may help with your decision

 

Add crushed coral and wait a month or so for the pH to stabilize. Guppies definitely need hard water. Most are bred in brackish water and a lot will crash in freshwater.

 

Add crushed coral and wait a month or so for the pH to stabilize. Guppies definitely need hard water. Most are bred in brackish water and a lot will crash in freshwater.

I'm genuinely curious, why would it take so long to stabilize? I haven't messed with any of this before.

 

The crushed coral is always dissolving and as pH raises the rate it dissolves is slower.

 

Would Seachem Equilibrium be just as good, if not better than crushed coral to raise my GH? I’d assume my PH is fine and I have enough KH that my PH has always been stable, just need more GH for minerals and electrolytes.