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Ways to lower the ph in my tank?

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theswede
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Ways to lower the ph in my tank? Empty Ways to lower the ph in my tank?

Post by preacherboy Thu Aug 19, 2010 11:24 pm

I have a species only tank with a pair of kribensis in a 29 gallon tank.
I know from researching their needs that they prefer 6.8 to 7.6 ph.
Our water here is pretty hard, usually 7.8 out of the tap.
I have sand as my substrate.
I have two HOB's on the tank, but unfortunately, not receptive of adding something
like peat moss; at least I don't think so.
I know I can use chemicals to lower the ph, but I would prefer to do it a little more
natural, if possible.
Any suggestions would be welcome and thanks gang!
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Post by poolmako Fri Aug 20, 2010 6:42 am

driftwood will also lower ph some but i would use peat pellets you could also use additives that will lower the ph, i use baking powder to raise my ph.
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Post by theswede Fri Aug 20, 2010 8:59 am

I would put some peat in a net stocking and put that in the HOB´s media box.
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Post by dmetal Fri Aug 20, 2010 11:18 am

i believe there are some water conditioners out there that neutralize ph so you could always use that when doing water changes

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Post by preacherboy Fri Aug 20, 2010 12:19 pm

Can you buy peat pellets at pet stores?
Thanks for the help!
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Post by poolmako Sat Aug 21, 2010 6:44 am

foster and smith sell pellets or sheets i have never used these when i was keeping discus i just used peat it will tint the water but if you want to keep fish that need a lower ph you do what you have to do.
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Post by buntbarsch Sat Aug 21, 2010 10:36 am

Mark, the only thing I use to lower the ph in my SA tanks is pieces of wood. You know how much I hate to play with chemicals and I works perfect for me. I even have my discus breeding. However, some peat in the filter like the Swede suggests is not a bad idea either.
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Post by preacherboy Sat Aug 21, 2010 12:36 pm

Ok, I really hate messing with chemicals as well.
I have a large piece of driftwood in the tank now.
I will add some peat and see what happens.
Has anybody here ever kept Kribensis?
I used to keep them 20 years ago and they bred constantly.
But I've been out of the SA/CA hobby so long that I've forgotten
too much!
Thanks for the help everyone!
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Post by BigFishMan25 Sun Sep 19, 2010 6:03 pm

Peat Moss worked well for me. You can buy a huge bag at a Home Depot or Lowes.

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Post by preacherboy Tue Sep 21, 2010 3:11 pm

Well, the piece of driftwood that I put in the tank has really helped my pH levels.
The water is now a little brown in color from the wood.
The kribs are doing well too!
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Post by cichlidman Wed Sep 22, 2010 5:22 am

Remember unless these are wild caught.
They probably have never seen a PH as low as recommended.

Most are in the low 7's

Just a thought.
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Post by preacherboy Thu Sep 23, 2010 10:09 am

Yeah, their pH range is wide; 6.8 to 7.8
Mine out of the tap is 7.8
I'm shooting for 7.2 to 7.6
I picked up another larger male to go with my large female
and things are beginning to look good for a future spawn.
I know kribs are easy to keep and not much of a challenge to some,
but I love the colors and I love the parenting skills these little fish possess.
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