Best way to lower PH without disturbing my fish...

[FishyInDallas]

My PH seems to settle high... around 7.8.

All of my other water readings come out really good. The tap water here has a high PH (about 8), and every time I do a water change the PH just goes up again....

I've lost a couple "new" fish due to this, but my original fish are adjusted to the higher PH.

How can I lower the PH without disturbing my current fish?

My first thought was to just add some PH "neutral" additive in my next water change, but I don't want to disturb the fish that are doing well.

The other option is to try to add some aged peat moss to the power filter to ease it down a bit before I do the "neutralized" water changes.

Any other ideas?

[Andy16]

I think the natural method is the way to do it, so i would use peat. I dont know a lot about water chemistry, but the fish should be fish if there isnt any quick ph drops or anyhting like that.

[ianjoe]

i would use the peat as well. go natural. personally, i stay away from chemical additives unless absolutely necessary.

[OrionGirl]

Chemical additives are unreliable. While some people report no problems, others used them, and then have issues with yo-yoing pH, algae, deaths, etc.

Peat filtration works well, and adding some driftwood to your tank will work (in the long run) as well. Other option--mix RO water with your tap water.