Help lowering high PH levels

M

mike.murf1999

AC Members
Mar 27, 2008
36
0
0
wisconsin
I'm lookin for some advice in lowering the ph in my tanks. I've checked both the water in my tanks, and the tap water and the PH level is pretty high. Its over 8 using an API test kit. Ammonia, nitriates and nitrites are all good: 0,0, and 5ppm. What can I do to lower the PH. I've heard putting some limestones in the tank for decoration also helps lower ph, and peat moss helps. But how do I use the peat moss and how much? Any other ideas will be appreciated.
:help:
 
If your tanks are doing fine than do not change it. I have my community tank at 8.0 sometimes higher and there is no problems what so ever. As it is commonly said, a stable pH is better than a changing one. Most likely your LFS has similar water chemistry as you do...
 
Limestone raises pH. Peat moss or wood can lower it. But, as Jpappy said, you should only start messing with water chemistry if it's stressing your fish.
 
Notophthalmus said:
Limestone raises pH. Peat moss or wood can lower it. But, as Jpappy said, you should only start messing with water chemistry if it's stressing your fish.
Click to expand...
Good catch. Limestone will for sure raise pH not lower it.
 
Thanks guys. The ph has been stable. I've been checking it before and after my water changes. The majority of my fish seem fine, but my neons don't seem to have very good color, and I have had lots of problem keeping neons alive. I discussed tha in another thread, and was thinking this might have something to do with that.
 
I pretty much agree with what has been said so far. If your pH is stable leave it as it is. If you try to manipulate your pH there's a chance that you might end up with a fluctuating pH w/c is more stressful to fish as opposed to a slightly higher but stable pH.

With regards to having trouble keeping neon tetras alive, lots of people are having the same issue. I'm starting to believe that there's just a lot of bad stock right now. And as MG said, try the hardier cardinal tetras. The only difference in appearance I can think of is a full red bar as opposed to the half red bar of the neons.

Good luck :)
 
My PH was up as well and I made the mistake of focusing too much on it and trying to drop it. End result, I lost a couple neons and oddly enough, all my snails.
I let everything stabilize and my PH is back to 8 . Fish seem happy and healthy including remaining neons. Hope this helps.
 
thanks guys.
 
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