Changing pH

[ConanTheLibraia]

What is the best way to lower the pH or bring it to the most neutral level as possible? How bout the cheapest?

 

[d9hp]

I dont really like using chemicals, so Peat, CO2, some others. DIY CO2 is the cheapest of those two

 

[Barney]

driftwood and peat definitely lowers ph, except with hard water.

 

[shawmutt]

If all you want to do is drop the pH to neutral, just use a gallon of distilled water (about 65 cents and available at grocery stores) in your next water change. This will lower some of the buffers in the water and will allow your pH to drop.

 

[loganj]

I agree. The distilled water is probably the way to go. Be sure to test for both pH and hardness as you do this though. If you lower the buffering capacity of the water too much, it can very quickly go acidic. pH is relatively easy to raise...not so easy to lower. Once you get the tank to where you want it, mix distilled with your tap water until you find the right ratio. Then you can use that for all your water changes.