Tap Water PH Issue

when I was starting ah this hobbi, I tried a lot of chemichals to obtain a pH of 6.75. An artificial pH level is hard to obtain, and ever harder to maintain. I used a Ph Down, Ph Raiser, Ph Balance, and always got my pH to the desired level just to loose it to my normal level in about 4-5 days.

For example, my tap water pH is about 7. My tank is always beetween 7.7 and 8. According to the info I've researched, I should keep it slightly acid (6.75) for may rays and knife, but sice I left the pH alone, they have adapted well and are active and feeding a lot.

Adding chemichals at the water is not a good practice. It will raise the dissolved solids lvel in the water. Also, everytime you do a water change you'll need to replenish the chemichals you lost with the old water. Some chemichals are cheap, other expensive, but nontherless you'll be throwing your money down the sink.
 
Lowering the pH is also farely dangerous. You use up your kH very quickly causing an unstable tank. If you feel you must artificially lower it the best method is to mix your tap water with RO water or Distilled water. Personally I would just leave the pH alone.
 
The water conditions in my tank have thus far remained rather stable. Still a young tank (4 months), but I monitor the pH at least once (usually twice) a week, and both before and 1 hour after any water change. Honestly, I feel like having a pH of 9.0 is more dangerous than bringing it down a bit. But, in light of what you just said, rrkss, I'll definitely continue to keep an eye on it.
 
If you are going to use the RO/Distilled Water method, then you need to do things slowly as you will be softening your tank's water by changing the TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) as you do it. Change 20% of the water every 2 days until the pH goes to the level you like. Using 50% tap water + 50% RO water will do the trick just keep in mind that this method will become expensive because you either will have to buy an RO unit or pay a grocery store 50 cents per gallon to get your water. Adjust the % RO/Distilled water accordingly by letting the water sit in a container for 24 hours and testing the pH to see if it is at the level you want. The 50/50% is just a guideline but not written in stone.
 
Last edited:
I only pay 30¢ on the gallon for my R/O water from a water store. It's sometimes cheaper to find other locations to get it from. :) Also, long term, an R/O unit is cheaper in the long run plus it's safer for you to drink than tap water.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom