help lower pH and hardness

[jworth]

pH consistently is reading 7.6 and the only test kit i found for hardness was a dip strip. It read (very hard) ~150-300ppm. One of my 3 Altifrons appear to have HITH but everyone else is fine right now. It disgusts me that I am having trouble keeping the fish that I like because of Indianapolis tap water. I have always read that pH shouldnt really be a factor though unless its unstable, which it is not. Although I know the Amazon fish typically live in softer water.

 

[Zander_The_RBP]

only way to drop pH and not have a swing is to use a reverse osmosis unit or have a large tub of water with almond/oak leaves and peat sitting in it and do water changes with that if you only drop the pH in the tank you will end up haveing a large upward swing everytime you do a water change and this will stress your fish

 

[poly-nomial]

Lots of driftwood is the way to go. Do it slowly though.

 

[jworth]

Lots of driftwood is the way to go. Do it slowly though.

I already have a good amount in there im gonna test again in a couple days. I may end up switching the 125 to CA fish then if I am going to have continued troubles.

Is there a RO system that just screws onto the end of the sink and I can plug my python onto that or any similar system?

 

[hairdog]

Is there a RO system that just screws onto the end of the sink and I can plug my python onto that or any similar system?[/QUOTE]

The Earl May in My town has a couple of units for sale for 75% off(12.99 a piece) If you do the math its more than 75%.I did not pick them up because the filters only said they treat 90 - 150 gallons per cartridge that would only be 1 water change for me. spare cartridges were $4.99

The only other remedy ohter than driftwood, which you do already is to buy some ph buffer. Doctor Foster and Smith I know have some.

 

[Sarah88]

I already have a good amount in there im gonna test again in a couple days. I may end up switching the 125 to CA fish then if I am going to have continued troubles.

Is there a RO system that just screws onto the end of the sink and I can plug my python onto that or any similar system?

no there wont be any actual RO systems like that because the water has to come a lot slower out of the filter than it goes in, only part of the water actually comes out of the filter as water that you can use, if you look at RO systems you will see ratings like Gallons PER DAY, they are very slow and so need to have a storage bin to store up enough water for a water change