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I am having some problems with my water quality . I am keeping a tank of tetras and I am trying to give them the best water I can, but the water I have isnt quiet to par. It is fairly hard and has a pH of about 7.2. I am wanting a slightly more acidic and softer water. How can I achieve this? Someone mentioned "black water extract". I am not sure what this does, but I heard it was good for fish that like soft, acidic water, like tetra from the Amazon. Will this help? I also heard it turns your water REALLY yellow... I want to try to avoid this, but whatever is best for my fish!

Fish CAN fly!

Hi,
Actually at 7.2 your water is fine for nearly all but
wild caught tetras. Most of todays fish are bred in
fish farms where the water runs right around what you
already have. You can soften the water by using some
RO or DI water mixed with your tap water. You can
make it more acidic by adding peat moss to the water
(put in a toe of panty hose, tied off, and placed in
the output of your filter.) Or, you can purchase a
product called "pH Down" from any pool supply house.
(You can get the same thing from a LFS, but they charge
much, much, more for a smaller quantity.)

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Stooge!

Drop the additives and step away from that tank!

I have discus spawning in water with a pH of 7.4 and a 12dGH of hardness. Discus supposedly demand soft water or water with 3dGH of hardness or less and acidic water! How can this possibly happen?

The fish are healthy, happy and horny because they have great water conditions. Not acidic and soft but clean and extremely clean. Their 125G planted aquarium gets two, that's right two, 50% water changes per week!

Oh, the gold tetras, hemigrammus rodwayi, continue to spawn even though the tank is at 29C and they prefer 26C... go figure!



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

The three H's for fish keeping!

"If you're afraid you'll make a mistake, you won't make anything."
-Family Circus

LOL! Thanks! I am usually able to get two 30% water changes in per week. So this is ok? I havent used any chemicals and I never even considered it. Im glad you gave me that valuable info, PLUS THE 3 H's!

Thanks

Fish CAN fly!