hey guys! just got some leaf fish yesterday.. tested the water and somehow ph is at 8.. i know leaf fish need about 6-6.5. i already used blackwater extract but is it safe to lower the ph from 8 to 6 all at once? is it better to go from 8 to 7.5 today then 7.5 to 7 tomorow and so on.. or do i just go from 8 to 6 now? please help.. also, any other ways i could make the water more acidic, driftwood is good right? thanks in advance
ph problem
- Thread starter fishy_123
- Start date
You can try adding peat moss to your filter to gradually lower the ph. I'd avoid using any ph altering chemicals, as ph fluctuations can be dangerous. Just keep in mind that having a stable ph is generally more important than trying to force it to a specific number.
If you have a high kh (the 'buffereing capacity' of the water) then driftwood or peat isn't going to soften your water. Your best bet is to mix part RO water with part tap water. The majority of fish can do fine in hard water as long as it's stable. My Discus are doing great in my super hard water.
fishy_123;2170921; said:
This may lower the pH levels in the tank, but you will have pH swings every time you do a water change, very unhealthy for your fish. Best bet is to match your tanks pH to that of the water that you do water changes with. If you feel you must change your pH levels, do alot of reseach on water chemistry regarding aquariums, really is best to understand what you are doing.