How'd you lower your pH?
- Thread starter Sarmo
- Start date
I dont know why it wouldnt work with any filter setup. How long it will last will vary from one type of wood to another, as well as the size of the piece. i've had one piece for a few months now and its still leaching tannic acid, while others that i havent had as long are pretty much done.
I think some people use some kind of acid as well to lower ph, but i've never messed with that
I think some people use some kind of acid as well to lower ph, but i've never messed with that
Don't waste your money on driftwood, it will likely how zero effect on your water being that hard. It all depends on your buffering capcity/kH. The pH is just an overall indicator to hardness and there is a lot more going on that just the pH reading itself. If you have soft water to begin with, driftwood can lower your pH from leaching acids I (most common being tannins) that will acidify your water and in turn make it softer/lower pH. Hard water will not budge with wood no matter how much you add. The only way to have an impact on water that hard is to go down the RO filter route which can get complicated as well.
What kind of fish are you stocking? Most common fish would prefer consitant hardness vs anything altered.
still only have a Oscar and an Arowana. been trying to choose fish that can take a higher pH. you are right my water is Very hard, we do have a softener. does the added Chloride from the softener have any negative effect?
do Peat balls change the color of the water? and knowing that i have hard water, would they still help?
thanks for your advice!!!
do Peat balls change the color of the water? and knowing that i have hard water, would they still help?
thanks for your advice!!!
No worries Rob. Honestly with your stock I would leave as is alone and keep up on the water changes. If you have hard water for species who prefer soft water (speaking from experience) they are far more impacted by a missed water change or poor water quality than by the hardness of the water. If you have hard water, just do a great job on water changes and you should be fine.
As an example, ammonia is far more harmful in hard water than it is in soft water. Just trust me on this one and step up the water changes and don't mess with your pH. Also I would suggest in this case you over filter then tank.
Why do you want to lower it. The fish that you are keeping may not be that sensitive where you have to lower it.