I have well water here and it naturaly has a high ph, about 8. my fish are all fine but I would like to lower that. It is a planted tank, from what I've read most ph downers can't be used with plants. I use a blackwater additive also but it does not help much. What do I need?
Lower ph
- Thread starter mdo135
- Start date
Driftwood will lower the ph. The more tannic acid (tannin) that's left in the wood, the more it will lower the ph as it leaches out. This will also discolor your water (think tea). Regular water changes can help with the color. Some people kind of like it though.
Tannic acid (tannins) are what turns blackwater streams and rivers the color they are. It's from old and rotting wood in the water (which is essentially what driftwood is). You'll probably have to find naturally occuring driftwood as the kind sold in aquarium stores have probably already been boiled to remove most of the tannins.
That's the only natural way I know of. I have no clue as to how much it will lower your ph though. I would guess it would depend on the size of the wood and how long it's been in water previously.
I'm sure somebody will come along with a better way (less water coloring). This is just the only way I know. And I don't even know if it will accomplish what you want.
Tannic acid (tannins) are what turns blackwater streams and rivers the color they are. It's from old and rotting wood in the water (which is essentially what driftwood is). You'll probably have to find naturally occuring driftwood as the kind sold in aquarium stores have probably already been boiled to remove most of the tannins.
That's the only natural way I know of. I have no clue as to how much it will lower your ph though. I would guess it would depend on the size of the wood and how long it's been in water previously.
I'm sure somebody will come along with a better way (less water coloring). This is just the only way I know. And I don't even know if it will accomplish what you want.
It depends on the plant and the additive.
If the plants are tolerant of acidic waters and the acidifier is a gentle one you should have no problems.
One thing you could try is take a 5g bucket of your well water, test it, then add white vinegar (a 1/4 cup at a time), until you get your target pH. Wait at least an hour after stirring in each dose of vinegar. Keep track of how many doses it takes so you can scale up for your tank.
This is a very old fashioned remedy for alkaline water, and is pretty gentle. When adjusting your tanks pH try not to lower it by more than 0.2 pH per day to keep from pH shocking your fish and plants.
If the plants are tolerant of acidic waters and the acidifier is a gentle one you should have no problems.
One thing you could try is take a 5g bucket of your well water, test it, then add white vinegar (a 1/4 cup at a time), until you get your target pH. Wait at least an hour after stirring in each dose of vinegar. Keep track of how many doses it takes so you can scale up for your tank.
This is a very old fashioned remedy for alkaline water, and is pretty gentle. When adjusting your tanks pH try not to lower it by more than 0.2 pH per day to keep from pH shocking your fish and plants.
The additive is suppost to lower ph, but its not working, I have fresh driftwood that is still leaking, yes my water is yellowish. Neither of thease seem to be working. Thank you all and I will try Guppy's suggestion now. Il bug you guys again if that don't work.
I know this is the wrong section for this question but will vinigar work in a salt water tank too?