Tap Water Tests FAILED... now what do I do?

[AquariumFreak]

Well I received my test kit today to I thought I would go ahead and try it out on my tap water and I don't think it's good:

dGH 10
Low [acronym:24a9fd1144="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]PH[/acronym:24a9fd1144] 7.6
High [acronym:24a9fd1144="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]PH[/acronym:24a9fd1144] 7.8

What can I do to fix my tap water before I add it to my tank?

Thank you in advance,

Jeff

[Hypostomus]

Uh, it seems fine to me. Keep in mind that 7.0 is neutral, with numbers lower than 7.0 being more acidic and numbers higher than that more basic.

Are you trying to keep a species with specific pH needs?

[AquariumFreak]

Well my woman wants these fish:

http://www.jeffandami.com/fish/

What do you think? Might take out some of the platys and swords to add some more schooling fish

[Hypostomus]

I can't speak on the Queen Arabesque (I've never owned one) and the shrimp (ditto), but all of the other fish shown there couldn't really care less about pH. With angelfish it's nice to have it lower, but not necessary. Add some driftwood (which you should do anyway for the pleco), and you should be fine.

What size tank is this and is it cycled yet?

[AquariumFreak]

It's a 90gal tall and I am still in the process of setting it up

I'm hoping to add a few fish in a couple of weeks

[Menagerie]

That is my pH out of the tap and I am keeping Apistos and rams with lots of drift wood. The pH in the tank is 7.2. The tank is still fairly new and I am expecting to see a further decline in pH as the tank ages.

[madasafish]

Driftwood and peat (in the filter) are the safest and most natural ways to lower your pH. When doing water changes, it might be a good idea to slowly pour the water you're going to be adding to the tank over the peat (if you get it).

Don't get into chemicals to lower pH, [acronym:60a299d1a7="By the way"]btw[/acronym:60a299d1a7]. I don't imagine you will, but just [acronym:60a299d1a7="For your info"]FYI[/acronym:60a299d1a7], those can be a load of trouble!

[mikemou]

I'm using chemicals to lower [acronym:8fde915d16="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]PH[/acronym:8fde915d16] right now for my neons and it's a waste of money. The [acronym:8fde915d16="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]PH[/acronym:8fde915d16] would stay low about 2 days before needing another dose.

I want to try driftwood and peat, too. Would I find peat in my [acronym:8fde915d16="Local Fish Store"]lfs[/acronym:8fde915d16]? I asked two stores about the 'natural way' to lower [acronym:8fde915d16="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]PH[/acronym:8fde915d16] and they both referred me to chemicals... I guess next time I'll ask specifically for peat...

Both driftwood and peat are going to make the water brownish yellow, correct? So bye-bye crystal clear water if added them?

MrCh.--aren't you going to add Co2 anyway? that is going to drop your [acronym:d79f07991b="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]ph[/acronym:d79f07991b] some. Also, I'd like to agree with Hypostomus, those fish will be fine in that [acronym:d79f07991b="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]ph[/acronym:d79f07991b]. Acclimate them properly when you bring them home from the [acronym:d79f07991b="Local Fish Store"]lfs[/acronym:d79f07991b] and you'll be fine. I also second reccomendations above for lowering [acronym:d79f07991b="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]ph[/acronym:d79f07991b], driftwood, peat in filter, and or Co2 addition.

mikemou, get peat at the gardening place, home depot, any place like that.

Both driftwood and peat are going to make the water brownish yellow, correct? So bye-bye crystal clear water if added them?

Just so you understand (I'm not certain from above phrasing), the water won't be muddy or cloudy brown/yellow, it may (or may not) have a brown/yellow tint to it. In some tanks the tint looks great, at least [acronym:d79f07991b="In my opinion"]IMO[/acronym:d79f07991b]. The tinting aspect is a very personal preference, I've found.

[mikemou]

Thanks a bunch! I love Home Depot.
How much of peat would I need for my 55 [acronym:711ea52b5d="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:711ea52b5d]? Or just keep adding it until satisfied w/ the [acronym:711ea52b5d="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]PH[/acronym:711ea52b5d]?