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Im posting this message for someone else on another forum I go to. I dont know the answer but I knew for certain that you guys over here on fishprofiles will!!

Here it is: "The water where I live is REALLY hard, and it makes the pH in my tanks high (8.0 to 8.5!). I'v been putting pH decreaser in my tank (forget what it's called), and it works, but I have to put it in there every day in order to keep the pH down, and I'm not sure if adding it might be hurting my plants or fish (plus it's a pain). I was wondering if anyone has had success in decreasing pH with anything a little more permanent."

I hope you all can help, thanks in advance!!! I would frequent this forum more often but I really dont have much fish knowledge compared to some. But I always know I can come here for my questions!!

The hard water isn't what makes your friend's pH so high. Hardness and pH are two different, unconnected things.

If your pal's fish and plants are thriving, then there isn't a need to mess with the water. As long as the pH in their tank is stable, then his flora and fauna should be just fine. The water in my tank is quite alkaline, over 8.1, and my fish aren't bothered at all.

In any case, I wouldn't recommend chemicals for altering pH. If your friend really wants to lower his pH, then he should put some granulated peat in his filter. It makes the water cloudy, but it really works, and is natural.

---

And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

Short of adding demineralized water or perhaps reverse osmosis water, there's not much that can be done...

Trops can be happy in high pH water without manipulating the mineral content.

A pH of 9.0 is about the high end of the limit.

--garyroland.

Last edited by garyroland at 06-Nov-2004 15:50

Thank You!!