: How can I permanently reduce the pH level of my aquarium? I have an aquarium with some rocks and substrate mixture, and about 15 small fishes. The pH level of the water is always high (7.6 - 8), away from the recommended

Vote Up Vote Down   0 Reactions

Login to give Reaction!

Double-check all your rocks: many, like limestone, have enough calcium to keep your pH high. The usual "vinegar test" is to see whether the rock fizzes when it comes in contact with a drop of acid -- vinegar or ideally stronger. If so, it's definitely affecting your pH.

That said, don't worry too much if you can't get it super low. Don't assume every fish you see at your LFS will adapt to your water, but many fish will as long as you're on top of regular maintenance. Some of the more common commercially-available fish are domestically bred in water conditions that don't really resemble what they "should be" on paper.

So bring it as close as you can, but I'd avoid any drastic measures, especially anything you'd have keep adding and adding. If your tap water and tank conditions have a steady-state pH that's a bit high, it's easier for your fish to adapt to that once than it is for them to have the pH repeatedly go up and down.

Vote Up Vote Down   0 Reactions

Login to give Reaction!

You should consider adding some natural pH reducing element. Adding drift woods, indian almond or oak leaves will slowly leach tannins, which in turn will reduce the pH. If you have a planted tank, you can start injecting CO2 which will also lower the pH. Another option is to filter the water through peat moss or commercially available peat granules.