Anyone use/used peat or oak leafs to naturally lower ph?

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Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Jun 26, 2010
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I believe my Chocolate cichlid to be having a problem with my tap water ph. With some looking I found that he is suffering from Alkalosis and the treatment is to reduce the pH and hardness levels with the use of reverse-osmosis (RO) water and tannic acids by peat or driftwood. I've also read that oak leafs can lower the ph, does anyone use this method (oak leafs or peat) to lower their ph? Do I just put the material into a filter bag, rinse it, and pop it in the filter?

If I were to use oak leafs, do I use dead leaves and break them down for more surface area and better filtration? Or should I just throw a bunch of full leafs in the tank? I'm not opposed to that look.

I had a feeling my Chocolate would have problems with my water ph because of what I found researching the fish. However, everyone here told me the fish would adapt to the higher ph....he doesn't seem to be adapting to it or liking it for that matter....besides the slime coat problem he spazzes out jerking around every so often, it's not fun to watch. I hate to see him suffer.:cry:
 
I've used Peat Granules made for Fluvals, but I haven't seen them around in awhile. Worked fairly well. It made the water a dark amber color, but the fish seemed to love it. I've also used the Eheim Peat Pellets. Not as effective because you need a good amount depending on the size of your tank. I used it in my 75g, but only bought a 1L box. A 1L box is good for 20g (didn't know until the package came in).
 
Thanks, benzjamin13. I didn't realize they made peat granules for filters. The only thing I have come across in the lfs is a bottle of ph down, and something called blackwater extract from TetraAqua, but I'd prefer going the natural route. I think almond leafs work too, but they're not as available as peat or oak leafs. I cannot really see anything going to wrong with putting in some oak leafs, anyone feel that that is not a good idea?
 
A ph test only measures acidic (less than 7.0 ph) and basic (more than 7.0 ph). This does not factor in alkalinity, or kh...
The alkalinity is a measurement of the waters buffering ability, or its ability to absorb and neutralize acid. Clearly the more alkalinity or the higher the Carbonate Hardness of the water the harder it will be to get your water to be more acidic.

IMO, for long term stable acidic ph, RO is the way to go. Feel free to throw any sort of driftwood or blackwater extract in your water and try it out... But if your water isn't soft it won't do anything. My water is VERY soft, and my tank with driftwood drops it from 6.6 down to lower than 6.0 ph. This will NOT happen in hard water.
 
That is not what I wanted to hear, I'm not looking to invest in a RO unit. I guess I'll have to try that Blackwater extract...I do think it may have been all natural. If I am able to find peat pellets, I'm gonna try that first.
 
what is your current ph. driftwood also works to lower the ph.
 
Peat moss (regular peat bought at a garden center) will soften and lower the ph. Peat is a natural de-ionizer and will bind Mg and Ca and the tannic acid will counteract the carbonates and bicarbonates. Place the peat in a mesh bag and put in in the filter change the peat about every 3 months or as indicated by your test kit.

You can also add driftwood to the tank as added buffer. If your water is hard with a higher ph I would do smaller frequent water changes as opposed to one massive dose of hard water with a higher ph. A steady and stable envoronment is better than large flucuations.
 
aclockworkorange;4554854; said:
A ph test only measures acidic (less than 7.0 ph) and basic (more than 7.0 ph). This does not factor in alkalinity, or kh...
The alkalinity is a measurement of the waters buffering ability, or its ability to absorb and neutralize acid. Clearly the more alkalinity or the higher the Carbonate Hardness of the water the harder it will be to get your water to be more acidic.

IMO, for long term stable acidic ph, RO is the way to go. Feel free to throw any sort of driftwood or blackwater extract in your water and try it out... But if your water isn't soft it won't do anything. My water is VERY soft, and my tank with driftwood drops it from 6.6 down to lower than 6.0 ph. This will NOT happen in hard water.
Click to expand...

^^^ this is 100% correct. I am glad someone else gets this too.

killerfahaka;4555091; said:
what is your current ph. driftwood also works to lower the ph.
Click to expand...

No, that's not always true.. Have a look at the post above. ;) He is correct and took the time to explain it pretty well.
 
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