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PH and hardness problem!

3K views 10 replies 6 participants last post by  iamntbatman 
#1 ·
I have this tank set up for about a year now and can only put hearty fish in it because, the PH is off the scale and I have added so much PH Down drops it can't be good for fish, and when I do water changes, I have to do it again, all with no effect. Also the hardness is bad as well. I have been the Water Softening Pillow from Petco, and Aquarium salt to help this, but nothing is. I want live plants, but the parameters are so extreme, they die!

Any Help?
20gal frshwater
150 Penguin Bio Wheel
 
#2 ·
I use to have the same problem High PH.
I dont like using the PH chemicals to change the PH its not natural and it also can lower or raise PH very Fast which is also harmful for the fish.
I solved my problem by purchasing Peat. This will leech Tannins into the tank naturally lowering the PH over a slow period of time.
The tannins will turn the water brown for a while but this will not harm the fish.
Another Great option which would probably work better for you is to go out and buy a nice piece of Real driftwood. This will create the same effect. Drift Wood Leeches Tannins. Different types of Drift Wood leech different amounts so you will have to do some research on best type.
I personally went with Malaysian Drift Wood it looks wonderful and is self-Sinking. I bought it from EBay. A lot of the pet store bought stuff will either have to be soaked for months before they become water logged enough to sink or weighted down with slate.
 
#3 ·
What are you parameters for pH & KH 1) from the tap? 2) in your tank?
And what fish are you keeping in that water?

Edit Lots times your better up leaving your water as it is rather then adding chems which does more harm to fish; that's why all the questions.
 
#5 ·
For both the ph and hardness, I have the test strips and they read 8.4 plus for ph and for hardness 425ppm and the alkalinity/buffering capacity is 300ppm. Nitrates, nitrites and ammonia is at 0.

I had let this tank go for about 6 months before adding chemicals to adjust knowing that it can take some time to equalize.

Currently I have a Pleco, 1 pictus Catfish and 2 Gold Gouramis. Would like to add more, once things settle down.

My original plan was to have a well planted tank with some Angelfish! But I do know how finiky they can be!
 
#6 ·
Test with the strips is a waste time & money - Your pH can be anywhere from 7-9 with what you read there on the strips. Get yourself a liquid test kit and test it or at least ask your LFS nicely if they have a liquid kit and can test it for you and give you the NUMBERS back not a "ok"

The water would be great for Cichlids, Rainbows, Liveberers etc being harder water needing fish. Like I said find out for sure what you have there and then your easiest and most hassle free fish keeping will be to buy fish that thrive in that water.
 
#8 ·
My LFS is Petco... thats another issue. I had brought my water to get tested there once when I had a cloudy water problem. They use the strips too. The girl that did the test said all was well. Get a better filter! Then another gal came by, who was even more snotty than the first, told me everything was sky high, don't you dare put fish in there until the water is good!

Thanks for all the help, I am looking into the Maylasian Driftwood and getting a liquid test kit... maybe some cichlids!
 
#9 ·
Just an fyi. I was at the lfs one day and this gal brought in a fish to trade in. The lfs refused it. It had sign of some ich I believe. A bit later I went to Petsmart for cat litter and the same gal was there getting some fish. I don't know for sure but I think they may have exchanged it for another fish(es). She is obviously a piece of trash and the Petsmart people know jack about squat.
 
#11 ·
If your water is very hard, things like peat and driftwood are going to do very little in terms of lowering your pH. I would get both your pH and hardness tested with liquid test kits. Depending on the outcome we may be able to suggest plants/fish that would work in your water or possibly offer alternative ways to bring down your pH to comfortable levels.
 
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