Thanks LM! I am currently looking for a way to lower my ph and hardness. Out of the tap it is like 8.0. I have a charcoal filter, so the peat or almond leaves or whatever wont color my water. But will the ph and hardness still lower? Should I try peat, if so what king is best? Or should I try almond leaves, alder cones, driftwood, etc? I plan on getting driftwood anyways, to root plants on. Is there such thing as an alder tree, that I could put in my backyard, and pick the cones off of? Sorry If this is alot of questions!