Naturally lower PH?

[HOLLIEO]

So, I am on this project of mine to breed my Zebra Danios. They seem to tolerate the PH levels that I currently have (7.8 - 8.4). The water we have is pretty hard, I guess lots of minerals. I read that the Danios prefer a more acidic and soft water for breeding. Is this true? or not really nesesary? If I need to provide that, can I add something to acomplish this. I read something about driftwood. What's that all about?

[loganj]

Driftwood leaches tannic acid into the water which, to an extent, softens and acidifys the water. I would use distilled or RO water mixed with your tap water to get the hardness I wanted. If you depend on driftwood, you'll have a pH swing every time you do a water change. You could also use straight RO water with a buffer such as RO Right. Don't use pure RO or distilled water as there is no mineral content in it. Having never tried to breed Danios, I don't really know about thier breeding requirements.

[ConanTheLibraia]

You can mix in distilled water with water changes to lower the pH.

[HOLLIEO]

Okay, I will try mixing the water (distilled and tap). Thanks for the tip!

[justDIY]

yep, mixing the distilled water is a good plan

also, the mejier here sells RO water for 39¢ a gallon ... I don't know how many stages their RO unit has or how often it's maintained (scary thought), but it seems to taste pretty good ... it also includes a UV sterilizer as it's filling your jug

[HOLLIEO]

Could I just mix bottled (like arrowhead) water with my tap, instead of the Distilled? Our bottled water is cheeper than the distilled.

[Voodoo Chilli]

It needs to actually be distilled. Bottled water normally comes from either spring systems or city municipal supplies and will still contain the mineral content of that particular water supply. Distilled water has had all of its mineral content removed (the distilled water I buy at the grocery store is steamed). It normally costs me .59 cents a gallon and is in with all the other bottles/jugs of water.

If you mix distilled and your tap water to reduce the alkalinity and pH of the tank water, do some testing to find out what the proper ratio of distill/tap water is. That way, you can mix it up before you put it in the tank and you'll not have to worry about any fluctuations that could affect your fish.

[HOLLIEO]

So, if I did a 25% water change and replaced the water that I took out with just distilled.. would this cause a PH fluctuation that would be harmful? Oh and since the distilled doesn't have any crap init, do you still need to treat with Stress Coat (that is what I use)?

[targaboy78]

Hi HOLLIEO,

So, if I did a 25% water change and replaced the water that I took out with just distilled.. would this cause a PH fluctuation that would be harmful?

No.

Oh and since the distilled doesn't have any crap init, do you still need to treat with Stress Coat (that is what I use)?

I always add Stress Coat. You won't have any Chlorine or Chloramine in the water but Stress Coat helps the fish maintain their natural slime coat.

About your original question...
You can try adding Peat as a filter media.
It will help lower your pH as well as soften your water.

I hope this helps.

[HOLLIEO]

Thanks Targaboy78 and forgive me here....
What is PEAT? I have heard of Peat Moss.. is this any relation?
I am getting ready (probablly tomorrow) to do a water change, so I am going to try the distilled thing and if I knew what peat was.. possibly that too