High ph. Looking for suggestions.

[Mfowlie626]

My 120g has an issue with high ph. My water source is around 6.5 but the tank is around 7.5. 0 ammonia 0 nitrites 0 nitrates. Water is also pretty hard. I believe it’s causing issues with my red pike cichlid. The tank has lots of plants which I’m thinking may be the problem. I’ve tried reducing the flow on all my filtration and adding peat pellets to one of my filters. Any suggestions on how to lower the ph? Also would an abundance of plants be the cause of this?

 

[duanes]

Plants do not raise pH.
What is the substrate?
Because its white, I'm guessing its Carib Sea or some other ocean type substrate, made of coral sand or Aragonite?
This will tend to raise pH or at least buffer it (keep it up), and prevent the peat from doing what you want it to do.
Peat also wears out quickly in hard, highly buffered (alkaline) water, it may need to be replaced often to keep up.
If your water is hard it may also be raising pH as CO2 is released.
If by "red pikes" you mean Crenicichla sp Tapajos, or others from black water rivers, you will need to use enough peat (or Reeibos Tea) to stain the water tea brown.

 

[ADawson23]

How long has the tank been up and running? Having 0 nitrate may mean it hasn’t fully cycled. As far as PH I was able to lower mine by adding more driftwood.

 

[Mfowlie626]

Plants do not raise pH.
What is the substrate?
Because its white, I'm guessing its Carib Sea or some other ocean type substrate, made of coral sand or Aragonite?
This will tend to raise pH or at least buffer it (keep it up), and prevent the peat from doing what you want it to do.
Peat also wears out quickly in hard, highly buffered (alkaline) water, it may need to be replaced often to keep up.
If your water is hard it may also be raising pH as CO2 is released.
If by "red pikes" you mean Crenicichla sp Tapajos, or others from black water rivers, you will need to use enough peat (or Reeibos Tea) to stain the water tea brown.
View attachment 1492112

The substrate is Caribsea Super Naturals. Says that is has a neutral ph and will not increase carbonate hardness.
I actually just put the peat in 2 days ago and I do see it helping a lot. Ph is down to about 6.8.
Ya the water is pretty hard, I have a water softening pillow on the way but not sure how much that will help. Yes it’s a tapajos pike, I know they need soft acidic water. I’ve been dealing with hole in the head and I’m thinking this is the cause of it. I have more peat pellets so I’ll try adding some more.

 

[Mfowlie626]

How long has the tank been up and running? Having 0 nitrate may mean it hasn’t fully cycled. As far as PH I was able to lower mine by adding more driftwood.

The tank has been established for a few years now. Ya maybe I’ll try to get some more driftwood, won’t hurt.