using chemicals to change water specs

[wild bill]

Are there any chemicals that are safe for changing the ph and hardness or softness of tank water. We picked up some pool filter sand and got talking to the salesman and he was telling us how they do it with pools and hot tubs but I don't think these chemicals would be safe for fish. Has anyone used them or what do people use to change these parameters and keep them where you want them.

 

[philfreenode]

he was probably just trying to be helpful (and also make a sale of whatever they have) but whatever your tapwater ph and hardness are, almost any fish are going to be able to adapt to it. they really prefer water parameters that are always the same over one that changes rapidly when you do water changes, which is what happens when you rely on chemicals to alter it.

you may want to increase carbonate hardness if it is low, this is what keeps the ph of your tank from shifting around. you can do that with baking soda.

check out this article about water hardness http://badmanstropicalfish.com/articles/article94.html