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Several people have commented in the past about the use of blackwater extracts as a more natural and gentle way to lower pH. If I try it, should I expect to see results quickly or over several weeks? Should I use more than the recommended dosage (Tetra Blackwater Extract 1ml/1 gallon)? Does the GH and KH come into play as much as it would with chemical pH reducers?

My latest water test results:
7.6 on basic pH test
8.0 on alternate "high PH" test
(I assume my pH hovers somewhere in between)
GH 25
KH 300ppm
Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0
Nitrates 5.0

Newbie,

You should expect to see little or no change in your pH from using Blackwater Extract. According to Tetra contains trace elements, vitamins and extract of peat.

So, why are you trying to reduce your pH? Your 7.6 reading may appear to be high but I have discus in 7.6 to 7.8 pH. When I want to breed the fish, I will reduce the hardness of the water to 50 ppm in the breeding tank by mixing RO with my tap water.



__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright

Since my water registers at 7.6 on a standard pH test (the very high end of the spectrum) and 8.0 on a high pH test (2 notches above the very low end of the spectrum) I think that the pH is in reality a good deal closer to 8.0 than 7.6. I'm hoping to introduce some tetras (debating on black neons, lemon, von rio or some combination) to my tank soon and I would think they would be healthier and happier if the pH was closer to 7.0 than to 8.0. Never having tetras before, I'm basing that on reference materials that almost always describe most tetra species as preferring "soft, acidic water." I've been lucky so far in that my water quality is incredibly stable and I didn't want to mess that up by experimenting with the harsh PH lowering chemicals. I was hoping to get just a modest, gentle adjustment from some of the natural extracts.

The tetras won't care. I kept black neons in 8.4ph water. Something like rummies can be difficult to acclimate to that water but there are few other tetras that will notice. Also chances are if the store isn't really far from you they are using the same tapwater and not altering it any. The fish are probably already acclimated to and living in your local water conditions.

Id agree with sham, they mostly adapt ok, but thats no reason you cant use blackwater anyway. Basically a lot of tetras like it ,although its not actually required for neons, and it does seem to help with disease resistance, but if you radically overdose you can cause tannic dropsy. Just use a little.

If your tank's kh is "strong" the blackwater extracts will not be effective even you make your whole tank in black and brownish water.