Lowering my pH?

[AZdogpatch06]

My tap water is very alkaline here. While great for my marine tank, it's not so great for my freshwater tank. The pH now is at about 7.8, and as far as I know, it needs to be about 6.5-7.0. I use the chemical in the picture below, but I'm trying to find a quick fix. I should note that it has not actually killed any of my fish to date, but it can't be good for them.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[AZdogpatch06]

Here:

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[azmodan]

My tap water is very alkaline here. While great for my marine tank, it's not so great for my freshwater tank. The pH now is at about 7.8, and as far as I know, it needs to be about 6.5-7.0. I use the chemical in the picture below, but I'm trying to find a quick fix. I should note that it has not actually killed any of my fish to date, but it can't be good for them.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

7.8 is fine for most fish and I wouldn't worry about trying to adjust it. Adding chemicals to change your ph is generally not recommended because it can lead to large swings that are dangerous to fish. Most fish will adjust accordingly as long as they are acclimated fine.

 

[Scottyhorse]

Yep, your PH is just fine.

 

[anteatergoanna]

You're PH is fine, as long as it is stable.


Sent from anteatergoanna's burrow

 

[AZdogpatch06]

Define acclimated fine?

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[Coyne]

My pH is 8.4 and my fish are ok.

While there are some fish like Discus that are better suited to lower pHs, most others will adapt.
If you purchased your fish from a store that's somewhat close to your house, then the pH of the store's water is likely the same.


Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice

 

[AZdogpatch06]

Any other extra acclamation steps? Like drip acclimation in saltwater?

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[AZdogpatch06]

Thanks by the way

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[azmodan]

Yup, drip acclimation is a good method but not always necessary. Typically when I buy fish from somewhere (in-store or online) I try to inquire about the ph of their water/tanks, and depending on how different it is to mine I may take longer or shorter to acclimate them.


Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advicemyxm mzeN

 

[AZdogpatch06]

And how do you do it if I may ask?

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[Coyne]

I drip acclimate, but mainly because I'm a bit lazy and don't want to get up every 5 mins to swap out bag water for tank water.
If you have the stuff and know how, then I don't think you can go wrong with drop acclimation. I also think it would do more good for fish than trying to alter the water's pH.


Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice

 

[azmodan]

And how do you do it if I may ask?

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

Float baggie in tank, add a small bit of tank water every 10-15 min with a turkey baster for an hour or so.


Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advicemyxm mzeN

 

[AZdogpatch06]

OK yeah that's how I usually do it for both my fresh and salt tanks

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Aquarium Advice mobile app