Recently I went to my local pet store and purchased a 1 1/4FL OZ bottle of pH down solution for around $5. However after using it i found that it takes a large amount of it to change my pH only slightly. Upon examining the solution I noticed it contained sulphuric acid as the main ingredient dilluted with water. Ive done some research on sulphuric acid since then and have found that a bottle of drain cleaner I have(Liquid Fire) is nothing more than almost pure sulphuric acid. I understand that sulphuric acid is a very dangerous and corrosive acid and should only be used with all proper safety measures in place, eg.,(rubber gloves, protective eyewear, good ventilation, respirators and protective clothing) and only after dilligent research into the proper care and handling have been done. I was wondering if anyone has any experience in dilluting their own sulphuric acid in order to create a more economical pH down solution. I plan on starting my own business that will include a breedind program for various fish and cannot afford to pay $5 for pH down on a regular basis. I will be conducting my own experiments soon and would appreciate any advice anyone has. I dont want to kill any of my fish but i also dont want to kill my pocketbook either.
Homeade pH down solution
- Thread starter AquaDoc
- Start date
I wouldn't use it or any chemicals for that matter. Instead try filtering with peat and use RO water mixed with your replacement water. You'll need to experiment with the ratios until you reach your desired pH.
Depending on what you are trying to breed, you may find that the "ideal" range isn't necessary after all. I know of several folks on this board who have German Blue Rams breeding with fervor in water they shouldn't even live in...
Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately I dont have an RO filter but I do have peat moss. Is there any certain reason to not use chemicals? It seems like it would be much easier to add a few drops of H2SO4 to get the desired effect versus the extra time it would take and the extra cost in using peat filters or RO units. Using chemicals is a common thing when you add fertilizer to a planted tank. Shouldnt it be safe to use H2SO4 with proper experimentation?
Yes, there are many reasons not to use chemicals. There are many threads about it here and if I have time I'll link you to some.
Chemicals cause pH swings. They don't last long. You end up with fluctuations which are far more deadly than a high/low pH.
Chemicals cost $ over time.
Chemicals can be dangerous if overdosed.
A steady pH is far more important than some arbitrary pH that probably doesn't even concern a non-wild caught specimen.
http://aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17574&highlight=steady
Chemicals cause pH swings. They don't last long. You end up with fluctuations which are far more deadly than a high/low pH.
Chemicals cost $ over time.
Chemicals can be dangerous if overdosed.
A steady pH is far more important than some arbitrary pH that probably doesn't even concern a non-wild caught specimen.
http://aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17574&highlight=steady
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AquaDoc,
I'm also concerned by your phrase of the drain cleaner being, "almost pure sulphuric acid". This means there is something else with the acid, which probably isn't fish-friendly.
I understand, and appreciate, your desire to reduce costs - but I would hate for you to save some money using a drain cleaner, but then have to spend more replacing dead fish.
From what I have read here at these forums, you can save money by not adding any chemicals at all.
Good Luck with your aquarium!
Kind Regards,
LogJam
I'm also concerned by your phrase of the drain cleaner being, "almost pure sulphuric acid". This means there is something else with the acid, which probably isn't fish-friendly.
I understand, and appreciate, your desire to reduce costs - but I would hate for you to save some money using a drain cleaner, but then have to spend more replacing dead fish.
From what I have read here at these forums, you can save money by not adding any chemicals at all.
Good Luck with your aquarium!
Kind Regards,
LogJam
why lower your PH? You really don't have to unless you are breeding fish or trying to acclimate wild-caught acid loving fish. Changing your PH creates PH instability. Its better to just go with you tap water's PH. I wouldn't use the drain cleaner. 
You know, I somehow missed the drain cleaner part. Absolutely do not use that. It has other contaminants that just can't be conducive to life.
. It has other contaminants that just can't be conducive to life.