Established tank, low ph No kh

[Wideglide04]

Hi, this is my 1st post. Ive been a long time lurker on several forums but feel I have nothing to offer so I just read and learn. So the reason ive posted is, I have a 3 yr old tank. 40 gal breeder that I'm upgrading to a 72 gal bow front. So ive started testing my water.
Ammonia -0
Nitrite -0
Nitrate -40 ( I know I'm bringing it down with 50% wc every few days)
Ph-6.0-6.4 (API liquid test)
Ive ordered liquid kh test but on strips it doesn't register.
So do I need a buffer or should I try to just maintain with water changes?Also, 72 will be heavily planted. And when I upgrade I want to try to use 40b as blackwater with a pair of rams and decent size school of small tetras. Any suggestions are really appreciated. I have no clue what to do or expect with Blackwater...
Thanks in advance,

 

[Deadeye]

Welcome to the forum!
What kind of fish do you have? Different fish do better in different conditions. Does there happen to be lots of driftwood in the tank?
The tetras and rams mentioned would love that low pH.

 

[tlindsey]

Hi, this is my 1st post. Ive been a long time lurker on several forums but feel I have nothing to offer so I just read and learn. So the reason ive posted is, I have a 3 yr old tank. 40 gal breeder that I'm upgrading to a 72 gal bow front. So ive started testing my water.
Ammonia -0
Nitrite -0
Nitrate -40 ( I know I'm bringing it down with 50% wc every few days)
Ph-6.0-6.4 (API liquid test)
Ive ordered liquid kh test but on strips it doesn't register.
So do I need a buffer or should I try to just maintain with water changes?Also, 72 will be heavily planted. And when I upgrade I want to try to use 40b as blackwater with a pair of rams and decent size school of small tetras. Any suggestions are really appreciated. I have no clue what to do or expect with Blackwater...
Thanks in advance,

Welcome aboard

What is every few days weekly, biweekly?
Tbh if you're PH is coming out of your tap at 6.0-6-4 that's ideal for a pair of Blue Rams and most SA Tetra species.

 

[Wideglide04]

Welcome to the forum!
What kind of fish do you have? Different fish do better in different conditions. Does there happen to be lots of driftwood in the tank?
The tetras and rams mentioned would love that low pH.

I have 2 blood parrot
8 bronze Cory sry for slang
Clown pleco
Bristlenose
10 zebra tank or
The clown will probably be moved to the Blackwater if successful. Would that be ok? No only 1 small 12" pc. Sand substrate and lots of java fern

 

[Wideglide04]

Welcome aboard

What is every few days weekly, biweekly?
Tbh if you're PH is coming out of your tap at 6.0-6-4 that's ideal for a pair of Blue Rams and most SA Tetra species.

Comes out of tap at 6.6 after sitting 24 hrs. Drios in a week to 6-6.4. After testing nitrates ive been changing eater every 3 day tomorrow will be my 3rd go at it until I'm under 20ppm I believe is what I'm shooting for

 

[Wideglide04]

Welcome aboard

What is every few days weekly, biweekly?
Tbh if you're PH is coming out of your tap at 6.0-6-4 that's ideal for a pair of Blue Rams and most SA Tetra species.

Was supposed to say zebra danio but it auto corrected

 

[tlindsey]

Comes out of tap at 6.6 after sitting 24 hrs. Drios in a week to 6-6.4. After testing nitrates ive been changing eater every 3 day tomorrow will be my 3rd go at it until I'm under 20ppm I believe is what I'm shooting for

Awesome! Apistogramma would do well with that ph range but wouldn't mix them with the Rams especially a pair.

 

[Deadeye]

Parrots are the only ones that long term won’t do well in that pH (based on their parent species), and maybe the danios (but those are pretty adaptable). Everything else should be okay. I’d just look into getting fish that are from naturally low pH - not much you can do if it’s coming out of the tap that way and playing with chemicals is always risky.

 

[Wideglide04]

Parrots are the only ones that long term won’t do well in that pH (based on their parent species), and maybe the danios (but those are pretty adaptable). Everything else should be okay. I’d just look into getting fish that are from naturally low pH.

So everything but my buddies huh? Well $#!+, anyway to make a happy middle for the parrots until they pass from old age hopefully? So with what I have rams and tetra in black water should work out? Dont use a kh buffer and just do reg wcs?

 

[Wideglide04]

Parrots are the only ones that long term won’t do well in that pH (based on their parent species), and maybe the danios (but those are pretty adaptable). Everything else should be okay. I’d just look into getting fish that are from naturally low pH - not much you can do if it’s coming out of the tap that way and playing with chemicals is always risky.

Thanks alot guys. Hate to hear my guys r the odd man out on water here.... Anything with similar personality and shape without causing damage in community tank? Obviously I wont be replacing em now but for future purchase I won't be as irresponsible. Again thanks