Best way to lower PH/KH

[shift]

My current paramaters are

PH 7.5
KH 4.3
GH 5.x

I'm thinking of picking up some CBS which like a ph of 6-6.5 and KH of 0-2

What would be the best way to lower my PH/KH a point or two?

[Blackheart]

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...42#post2484842

Originally Posted by binbin9

Just depends on what you want to keep in the tank. Some inverts prefer higher PH. Most plants prefer a more neutral to acidic level.

There's a ton of info on this forum about water hardness and PH. In actuality high PH and KH are related.

To lower PH:

1. Use an RO unit
2. Use a substrate like aquasoil or fluval to lower the PH
3. Use Peat to run through your filter. It will strip away KH and lower your PH
4. Use CO2 to lower ph
5. Humic acids will also work

However if you have a high KH content most of the time your PH will just bounce back.

[shift]

1. So i could mix in partial R/O (bottled water) in convenient but do-able.
3. Peat - is this peat-moss like from a garden center?

[acitydweller]

Peat from the garden center. Try to get the organic version

[uberape]

My tap water is 7.8 ph and I've stabalised it at 6.4. I think the secret to this is 50% water 50% bogwood. well as much as you can stuff in. and you want to buy http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Amys-200-g...item5886135049 always buy off amy. I'd also suggest using citric acid when you change the water, it doesnt last long but long enough for the transition, its like 80p or a dollar 50 from the chemist (you have to convince them your not cooking crystal meth). Finally make sure you have an http://www.suntekstore.co.uk/goods.p...tm_source=gbuk because you need to check ph all the time and they make it easy. Ive recently discontinued co2 from my tank and it had little effect on my ph, i think the large amount of bogwood and cattalpa leaves is what keeps the ph down below 6.5. remember no stones, no gravel- unless guaranteed not to buffer the water. slate is ok. some sand types are ok. RO is much easier from what I gather but you have to buy the unit.

[shift]

No rocks or stones? That's in both of my tanks! Is that because they may buffer? Do they all have to be removed? I ordered almost leaves last night. I may have to find some big would. Would they be okay in a tank with rocks and pebble subtrate?


This is where I was thinking of putting them. I have 2 other tanks. Both with aquarium gravel. Hmmm

[uberape]

yeah i had the exact same problem as you, bought gravel, had loads of stones. I removed them all and it was a lot easier. Sand stone must be ok but you dont know for sure unless you get it tested. Its better just to, as I did, remove everything, buy some sand or gravel that either lowers or has NO effect on ph. If it says it does not alter ph it could still act as a buffer. remove the decoration as well as precaution. sand and wood and leaves. it looks really cool as well, but your water does turn tea coloured but I also think this looks good. I'll post you a pic of my tanks if i can borrow a camera.

[shift]

I just did mgopm capped with Eco-complete in my other tank! It was a huge mess but looks good now
I'm starting to wonder if I should just got for a different species of shrimp. Do you think they would do okay in the tank or is it my worth trying

Ph 7.5 ish
Kg 4.3
Gh 5
Tds 120-130

[uberape]

I put cherry shrimp in a cold tank with high ph and newts and they survive. just try one pioneer first. they wont breed though

[shift]

I traded the rocks for a chunk of driftwood and added fluval stratum on top of the rocks and the ph dropped to 6.5!

[shift]

So will mixing RO and tap reduce my KH? It's at 4 and I would like It to be 1-2

Also what's the best way to acclimate CBS/crs? They will be in a big for about 30 hours until they make it home. Should I drip acclimate or just float and pop them in?

[BraveBuc]

Originally Posted by shift

So will mixing RO and tap reduce my KH? It's at 4 and I would like It to be 1-2

Yep, RO water has a kh of 0. So 50-75% RO water would get you there.

[BraveBuc]

I'm just getting into shrimp. Are CRS/CBS really that sensitive to hardness? Seems like your water is already pretty soft to me. Wouldn't heavy metals be more important to worry about? Just wondering.

[acitydweller]

Originally Posted by BraveBuc

I'm just getting into shrimp. Are CRS/CBS really that sensitive to hardness? Seems like your water is already pretty soft to me. Wouldn't heavy metals be more important to worry about? Just wondering.

Yes they are. focusing on GH/KH and PH are paramount for dwarf shrimp. Heavy metals would also kill them.

Originally Posted by BraveBuc

Yep, RO water has a kh of 0. So 50-75% RO water would get you there.

If there is infact something buffering in the tank, these parameters would eventually rise to their previous equilibrium.

Originally Posted by shift

So will mixing RO and tap reduce my KH? It's at 4 and I would like It to be 1-2

Also what's the best way to acclimate CBS/crs? They will be in a big for about 30 hours until they make it home. Should I drip acclimate or just float and pop them in?

Caridina appreciate a low kh and lower PH. Diluting your tank with R/O seems to be the best bet but a quick change within 30 hours is a swing and the resulting equilibrium is too early to tell.

float dunking is a rookie move for shrimp. avoid doing this for caridinas. If the water parameters of their tank of origin vary greatly from yours or are unknown, its highly recommended to drip acclimate over several hours at a minimum. Float and drunked in shrimp may live for a week then drop dead. Inverts are intolerant of GH/kh/PH swings unlike their fishy tank mates.

Originally Posted by shift

I traded the rocks for a chunk of driftwood and added fluval stratum on top of the rocks and the ph dropped to 6.5!

good on you! If you are starting off with crystals, i highly recommend filling that tank up with moss. When i say fill, i am referring to a minimum of 25% as a source of food and shelter as the increased surface area will help tremendously. Also establish a balance of slow, medium and fast growers to help with the processing of waste. A sparcely planted tank like yours wont really do much in putting a dent into processing the nitrates that would eventually build up.

[shift]

So drip acclimation it is! Do you just put them in a bucket of transportation water and slowly start dripping in water? Do you need to filter this some how? The shrimp will have already traveled a good 30 hours in that water.


Ill find more moss/ plants too!