Want to drop ph.

[Hammerjoe]

Hi,

I tested the water in my 20 gal shrimp tank and the PH is quite high. (Ph8.0)

I want to drop it to 7.2-7.4.

I have been doing small water changes (2galons) everyday using filtered Brita water (to remove copper from the water) and that water is at ph6.0, but the ph in the tank is not dropping.
Kh was like 22.
Just tested today and it has dropped to 17.

I found a bottle of Hagen PH drop in the basement, and I was wondering if it was safe to use in the shrimp tank.

Otherwise are there any other natural ways besides a huge water change (50% or more) to bring it down??

[Mgamer20o0]

no dont use ph down. best way is to get a ro system.

[Ajordan]

The question I would ask is why you want to drop the pH. If your shrimp are doing well then I would leave it alone. If you are serious about dropping it I would try something like peat to soften the water which will allow the pH to drop.

[looney417]

you can inject a little co2, the chemistry works, other than that, if you don't have plants its not really beneficial to your tank, and as long as your pH doesn't drop too much (too much possibly means injecting to much), it should be fine. I believe shrimps live very well in pH 8 thought. i have some shrimp in my tank, around 3 red cherries (with 2 additional brown/black versions) and like 5 amanos, that are pregnant that was living in pH 8.6 and they were fine...

another thing you can try is to...not change your water, and let the bacteria grow to break down the ammonia, maybe your tank isn't broken in... 20 gal for just SHRIMP sounds strange to have "high" pH. add some floss/sponge to your filter to increase surface area for bacteria.

[Lupin]

The question I would ask is why you want to drop the pH. If your shrimp are doing well then I would leave it alone. If you are serious about dropping it I would try something like peat to soften the water which will allow the pH to drop.
Ditto that.