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How about LETTING THE GUY TELL US WHAT IS THE pH HE TARGETS BEFORE WE ALL GO WILD WITH OUR OWN LIL' THEORY AND HOME RECIPE ON HOW TO LOWER/RAISE pH.

I mean no disrespect folks and everything that you said is true, but you know NOTHING of the nature of the question. What is the point in posting anything when you don't even know what the question is? Potshots at a right answer?

Sponge

Last edited by Sponge_Bob at 02-Jan-2006 17:27

Use baking soda to increase KH. You will need to experiment to determine how much you should add to your water to reach a sustainable degree of hardness. Using crushed shells in your filter will also increase your carbonate hardness but it will be difficult to target a specific amount of hardness.

__________
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researched from Steven Wright

Well with zero hardness it is no wonder you can't maintain a pH, since you have very little in the water to take up excess OH- of H+ leading to pH fluctuations.

Calcium carbonate would be what you want to add. Adding some crushed coral to your filter will provide your tank with a stable buffer. add a bit at a time to make sure you don't over buffer and raise the pH.

Last edited by Megil Tel'Zeke at 02-Jan-2006 17:03

Depending on what you are aiming for, low pH, and soft water, try peat filtering. If you want harder water there are buffers available, and if you want higher pH and hard water, use lime.
My approach is as few chemicals as possible. Thus I use peat. The water will turn slightly yellow but it seems to make the fish look brighter. It also toughens up the fish' scales and makes it harder for parasites to get them. Plants benefit from peat as well. It's not hard to do. Let us know what you're aiming for and I'm someone will be able to help you figure out what you need to do.

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-Family Circus

If you want to higher your ph, just add some Limestone Rocks.


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Would be nice to know what pH you are targetting in the first place.

Sponge