Anyone ever use AP Tap Water Filter? Also pH ?'s

[Casey96SS]

I was thinking about trying a tap water filter from aquarium pharm. I wanted to lower my kH level so I could lower my pH and not have it bounce back up.

Right now my pH is 8.3 out of the tap and in the tank.

kH is 340.1 ppm

gH 125.3

Nitrites and nitrates are 0 ppm.

I have two barbs and two bala sharks in my 29 gal tank. I believe the high pH is slowy killing the balas. They seem to be getting smaller and there is not much left of their fins. I feel bad for them. I never had a problem with balas in this tank until I moved to a different town a year ago.

I would like to maintain a pH of about 7.0 to see if the balas get better. From my reading of the archives of this board it sounds like messing with the pH is a constant PITA. I know most people here are big on peat and natural methods of changing pH. Has anyone ever used AP proper pH corectly and successfully?

Any advise or suggestions would be appreciated.

[morleyz]

With your high KH, the cost of operating AP's tap water filter will be astronomical. You'll be putting a refill catriage in it every 25-30 gallons of water.

As far as using something like proper ph...IME you're better off with the wrong pH than messing with the pH. The problem with chemical adjustments is that sooner or later, they run out if you don't monitor them VERY VERY closely (which most people don't). What happens then, you get a jump in pH...then you realize and quickly add some more chemicals...and pH crashes back down again...and your poor fishies are the ones that suffer. The reason why everyone is so "BIG" on natural methods of lowering KH/pH is because they actually work.

[Faramir]

I don't think it's the pH that's attacking your bala's fins. Are you sure the Nitrate is 0? This is next to impossible unless you're either (a) doing daily 80% water changes, (b) planting the tank heavily (in pH 8+?) or (c) using some exotic filter insert. I'd get it re-checked if I were you.

As regards pH, It's your KH that's really the culprit here. I imagine that peat filtration would have the desired effect in time.

[famman]

My tap water is 8.2 from tap but K is only 5 or 6 degrees. I use AP tap water filter in tandem with a 3 stage di filter. Works very well, but it can be expensive.
If you use peat you'll probably get good results but it does make the water brown. Heavy carbon will reduce but not eliminate the brown.
If you don't have plants a pH down product can work but also can cause algae blooms. Most rely on phosphates. Jungle Labs Correct pH does not but may not work on water with K=19 degrees.
I agree with the nitrate not being 0, that's not normally possible in a non planted tank. Nitrates can also cause the symptoms you discuss.
I suggest planting the tank with low light and low co2 requirement plants (water sprite?). They would consume K over time and help lower pH.
good luck
:)

[Casey96SS]

Thanks for the replys. I am going to order a new nitrate test kit from Big Al's. I am not going to do anything to the pH unless I really have to. I enjoy taking care of my fish tank, but I don't have the time to screw around with the pH.