Lower pH.

Hi! So I’m wanting to lower the pH of my aquarium. Right now it stands at 8.4 and I want to lower it to around a 7 before I get my fish. I heard that adding vinegar is a good way but I’m a little skeptical if that’s safe. Also, I did test my tap water and we do just have alkaline water. So, is there a way to bring it down and keep it down? Like, adding something every time I do a water change. Also one last question. I’ve gone through the nitrogen cycle and the nitrates are at 0ppm and I’ve heard bettas can deal with upwards of 10 but nowhere can I find if nitrates can be too low. Would it hurt a fish if the nitrates were too low? Thanks!!

 

Driftwood Peatmoss and a PH down can all be used to keep the PH low. PH down is actually pretty affordable too. https://www.amazon.com/API-Freshwat...449500&sprefix=ph+down+aq,aps,169&sr=8-2&th=1 Most petstores carry this

 

Hi! So I’m wanting to lower the pH of my aquarium. Right now it stands at 8.4 and I want to lower it to around a 7 before I get my fish. I heard that adding vinegar is a good way but I’m a little skeptical if that’s safe. Also, I did test my tap water and we do just have alkaline water. So, is there a way to bring it down and keep it down? Like, adding something every time I do a water change. Also one last question. I’ve gone through the nitrogen cycle and the nitrates are at 0ppm and I’ve heard bettas can deal with upwards of 10 but nowhere can I find if nitrates can be too low. Would it hurt a fish if the nitrates were too low? Thanks!!

If you want to do it naturally, you can use Indian almond leaves or driftwood. Anything with tannins will lowe the pH. If you want to do it chemically, then you can use the API pH down like frogmastertimmy said.

 

You can add peat moss, almond leaves, or driftwood to lower ph. Depending on your carbonate hardness (kh), you may find it difficult to lower your ph. I have 8.2 or so and none of those methods have touched my ph because I have very high kh. But if you acclimate the fish slowly many can adapt to your higher ph. It’s better than trying to chase it. If possible try to find fish that will thrive at higher ph.
Also zero nitrates is not an issue, I asked the same question when I first ran into that!

 

You can add peat moss, almond leaves, or driftwood to lower ph. Depending on your carbonate hardness (kh), you may find it difficult to lower your ph. I have 8.2 or so and none of those methods have touched my ph because I have very high kh. But if you acclimate the fish slowly many can adapt to your higher ph. It’s better than trying to chase it. If possible try to find fish that will thrive at higher ph.
Also zero nitrates is not an issue, I asked the same question when I first ran into that!

That's interesting that the almond leaves and other things didn't lower your pH. Have you tried API pH down? I think that the chemicals will most likely be more effective than natural ways.

 

I don't need to mess with my water, but I believe mixing RO water will work. A lot of people report that using stuff like IAL doesn't work for them, and I personally don't feel comfortable dealing with chemicals when it comes to lower pH. I am no expert of course.

As for nitrates, 0 is perfectly fine. Really depends on who you ask but I think fish can handle more than that easily.

 

Hi! So I’m wanting to lower the pH of my aquarium. Right now it stands at 8.4 and I want to lower it to around a 7 before I get my fish. I heard that adding vinegar is a good way but I’m a little skeptical if that’s safe. Also, I did test my tap water and we do just have alkaline water. So, is there a way to bring it down and keep it down? Like, adding something every time I do a water change. Also one last question. I’ve gone through the nitrogen cycle and the nitrates are at 0ppm and I’ve heard bettas can deal with upwards of 10 but nowhere can I find if nitrates can be too low. Would it hurt a fish if the nitrates were too low? Thanks!!

I have betta tanks, and my ph runs around 7.5. The key is consistency. The most dangerous thing is a fluctuating ph level.

As for nitrates, usually if you have a completely cycled tank, you will have some nitrates. Since nitrates are the by-product of beneficial bacteria eating the nitrites, then I would think that there should be some in your tank water. What are you using to test your water? Strips or liquid test kit?

The lowest level of nitrates in my cycled tanks is around 5 ppm's. I use the API freshwater test kit.

And I agree with AcorntheBetta about Indian almond leaves. If you use them, make sure that you disperse them throughout the tank. Don't clump them all together in one area.

 

That's interesting that the almond leaves and other things didn't lower your pH. Have you tried API pH down? I think that the chemicals will most likely be more effective than natural ways.

I bought a bottle of it a while back, but I decided against using it. I'm a little leery of using chemicals, just because I could see it turning into a fluctuating ph and then I'd be chasing it. So now I just deal with it. Fortunately, my fish are thriving, at least in the short term.

 

I have betta tanks, and my ph runs around 7.5. The key is consistency. The most dangerous thing is a fluctuating ph level.

As for nitrates, usually if you have a completely cycled tank, you will have some nitrates. Since nitrates are the by-product of beneficial bacteria eating the nitrites, then I would think that there should be some in your tank water. What are you using to test your water? Strips or liquid test kit?

The lowest level of nitrates in my cycled tanks is around 5 ppm's. I use the API freshwater test kit.

And I agree with AcorntheBetta about Indian almond leaves. If you use them, make sure that you disperse them throughout the tank. Don't clump them all together in one area.

I am also using the freshwater test kit by API. Also thank you everyone for all your help!

These are all so helpful! I’m thinking of trying almond leaves. But, due to the tannins, will it turn my water brown? I actually have a piece of driftwood that I want to use in my tank but I’m soaking it until it stops turning the water brown. Thanks!

 

What fish are you planning to keep? As CTYankee79 said, most fish sold commercially will be okay in a wide range of pH. Mine is 8.2, and I have a wide variety of fish thriving. I've never tried to lower it.

 

What fish are you planning to keep? As CTYankee79 said, most fish sold commercially will be okay in a wide range of pH. Mine is 8.2, and I have a wide variety of fish thriving. I've never tried to lower it.

Same here actually my livebearers love the 8.0!

 

Same here actually my livebearers love the 8.0!

Yup, I have a huge variety of fish and my ph is 8.2! Surprisingly all my livebearers died on me, I’m finally going to try them again.

 

What fish are you planning to keep? As CTYankee79 said, most fish sold commercially will be okay in a wide range of pH. Mine is 8.2, and I have a wide variety of fish thriving. I've never tried to lower it.

I’m hoping to get a betta.

 

I’m hoping to get a betta.

I have one in my 40 gallon breeder tank that's doing fine.

 

I am also using the freshwater test kit by API. Also thank you everyone for all your help!

These are all so helpful! I’m thinking of trying almond leaves. But, due to the tannins, will it turn my water brown? I actually have a piece of driftwood that I want to use in my tank but I’m soaking it until it stops turning the water brown. Thanks!

Yes, tannins do turn the water brown, but the bettas love it! The brown water denotes the actual tannins in the water. Some people will boil their almond leaves, strain out the leaves, and save the brown water to use in water changes. If you can stand it, the brown water is very beneficial!