Can I use pH reducer for swimming pools in my fish tank?
- Thread starter tbold
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I freaked out over high pH when I first set up my tank. I was reading 8.4-8.6 pH, with my brand new API test kit and all. So, I put water in the tank, put some cheap fish in it to cycle, "watched it"....pH went down by itself. Seems that pH measured right outta the tap is a lot higher than it settles down to overnight. Then I put two big pieces of Mopani that might have helped too. Regardless, now tank pH for me is 7.6, but it measures 8.2-8.6 right outta the tap. pH is complicated, I'm not a chemist, fish don't seem to care.
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often times fish will adapt to the ph of the water you're using. i kept rays successfully in ph's of over 8.2. it's the ph swings that mess with them. keep it consistent, not only will they be fine, but you'll save a buttload of money and not have to worry about a crash.
I have never owned a fish species that didn't thrive in my water. So hard you get bruises taking a shower and Ph so high it burns you.
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Hi Tbold.
Where I live, it just happens that "sometimes" I do have to adjust my Ph level. So to answer your question on whether or not you can use pool Ph up's or down's in your fish tank; yes you can. But keep in mind that it is quite concentrated so go sparingly and gradually get to the level that you're after. I use some water from the tank and mix in a cup then gradually pour back into the tank. Hope this helps.
Where I live, it just happens that "sometimes" I do have to adjust my Ph level. So to answer your question on whether or not you can use pool Ph up's or down's in your fish tank; yes you can. But keep in mind that it is quite concentrated so go sparingly and gradually get to the level that you're after. I use some water from the tank and mix in a cup then gradually pour back into the tank. Hope this helps.
If your PH is that high, it might be better to not keep the species that require low PH. Just will save you a lot of money and trouble if you did that. Look into getting African cichlids or something that likes high PH.
A 2.5kg bag of Ph Down cost me about $11. I've just used a teaspoon of Down in a 6ft tank. The only time I have to do this is when I do a 1/4 water change which is about once every month and a half. It's not that much trouble nor expensive and my Tetras, Guppies, Bristlenoses, Driftwoods and Elephant Noses are quite happy.
The question Tbold asked was "can you use pool Ph Up's/Down's in a fish tank?" I answered his question - yes you can.
The question Tbold asked was "can you use pool Ph Up's/Down's in a fish tank?" I answered his question - yes you can.
If your KH is low, your PH will drop on its own due to organic processes and lack of buffering. Mine starts at 7.8 and depending on stocking and decor drops eventually to 6.0ish. If you are not on well water you should be able to find a water quality report online and look for CaCO3 hardness expressed in ppm.
Are you testing between water changes? Some rockwork will add KH and buffer PH so that it is stable while driftwood will help lower PH. One school of thought is that captive bred fish probably are not as sensitive to PH outside of their native range whereas wild caught fish would be, since the CB fish were probably not farmed in ideal PH conditions.
Are you testing between water changes? Some rockwork will add KH and buffer PH so that it is stable while driftwood will help lower PH. One school of thought is that captive bred fish probably are not as sensitive to PH outside of their native range whereas wild caught fish would be, since the CB fish were probably not farmed in ideal PH conditions.
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Most pool pH decreasing agents are sodium bisulfate, dry forms (sometimes available wet) of @ 1M sulfuric acid salts.
I agree with Fish on Fire, I would taylor my fish choices to the kind of fish that fit the type water you have available.
There are plenty of beautiful rift lake African, and Central American species that would thrive in your high pH water.
If you like the appearance of discus, the Sri Lankan cichlid Etroplus suratensus might fit your water type perfectly.
I agree with Fish on Fire, I would taylor my fish choices to the kind of fish that fit the type water you have available.
There are plenty of beautiful rift lake African, and Central American species that would thrive in your high pH water.
If you like the appearance of discus, the Sri Lankan cichlid Etroplus suratensus might fit your water type perfectly.
I wouldn't stress over ph. I did when I first started keeping fish till I realized it was stability that mattered most. I'd be more worried about having a low ph over high.
I live on well water and it is off the charts. This really freaked me out and made me sad. But I have yet to own a fish that has an issue with it. Just acclimate new fish slowly to lessen the shock. They adjust.
I live on well water and it is off the charts. This really freaked me out and made me sad. But I have yet to own a fish that has an issue with it. Just acclimate new fish slowly to lessen the shock. They adjust.
