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Thread: Lowering PH

  1. #1
    Hi, I'm New Here!
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    Lowering PH

    With the understanding that much less is much more when it comes to altering water chemically, is there an effective and safe way to soften water (maybe .3, .4 points) a bit quicker and without coloring the water (as with peat)?
    All opinions are welcome.

    Bryon

  2. #2
    Medium Discus
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    i use phosphoric acid but i wouldnt call it safe,its very nasty stuff.
    but when you handle it right its cheap and very good

  3. #3
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    safest would be to use RO water over a few 20% changes.

    I use HCl, for conveniance.

  4. #4
    Just an Egg
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    I use two products; SEACHEM Acid Buffer and SEACHEM Alkaline Buffer.
    Works a marvel. You only use a little bit, from a 300g container and I haven't run out yet.

    Many fishy regards
    Jason

  5. #5
    Eternal Moderator Merrilyn's Avatar
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    There seems to be a little confusion here.

    If you want to soften the water, then you need to remove some of the salts and minerals from the water by replacing some of the tap water with RO water. You can also use peat moss or indian almond leaves, but the softening effect is very limited and will leave your water a light tea colour.

    If you want to drop the pH of the water, say from a pH of 7 to a pH of 6, then you can use phosphoric acid or a product called pH Down from your local aquarium shop.[/b]
    Thirty-five years keeping and breeding discus, and I'm still learning :P

    Merrilyn has passed, but will not be forgotten - Goodbye dear friend

  6. #6
    Hi, I'm New Here!
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    Thanks to all,
    Looks like ro water and let the fish acclimate to water with a slightly higher ph (neutral) is a good bet.
    BTW, I seem to have been assigned the nickname "Wriggler". How does that come about?

    Bryon

  7. #7
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    that will change as you make more posts, get to 10 and you'll be a blue diamond

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