unable to hold low pH, please help.

[Ca Nguyen]

in my shrimp tank A (10 gallons), i use 2 inches of fluval shrimp stratum. 100% tap water, which i tested to be 7.4. pH started at 6.8, after 4 days, i'm at 7.2.

in shrimp tank B (10 gallons), i use 2 inches of ada aquasoil amazonia ii. 50% RODI, 50% tap water. pH was initially 6.6 last night. woke up today did another test and found pH at 7.4.

in shrimp tank C (20 long), i use a combination of eco complete and fluval shrimp stratum at 50/50. 100% tap water initial test was 6.4, after 2 months, it now read 7.4.

tank D (5 gallons), i use GEX shrimp substrate imported from japan. 100% tap water. initial pH was 6.6, i am on my 6th month, and pH is now at 6.8.

tank E (2.5 gallons with actually 2 gallons of water), i used black sand, and pH i 7.4 just like tap water as i expected and wanted.

why am i not able to keep pH low? i don't have the mean to test for GH and kH. i thought about using 100% RODI, but i didn't want to soften water to the point my shrimps would suffer.

[TaTeR ToT]

Buy fluval peat pellets put them in filter socks and add them in your filters, get Kent blackwater extract and dose accordingly. If these two methods don't work then I would also add almond leaves.

[TaTeR ToT]

If all else fails you can try seachem acid and discus buffers, but I would wait and do these only as a last resort.

[Ca Nguyen]

peat pellets is discontinued :( and i'm trying to keep my tank clear.

[Totenkampf]

unless you were getting massive water evaporation, i dont know why pH would spike? i have use discus buffer in the past for amazon tanks

[TaTeR ToT]

I am using discus buffer right now in my 75g with a group of geophagus altifrons, male green terror and a few gouramis. No problems, I also have peat pellets they don't discolor water from my experiences with them. However blackwater extract will.
Try discus buffer with acid buffer. My Ph is stable at 6.2

[Totenkampf]

some driftwood might help too

[Ca Nguyen]

no evaporation here. all top off is with RODI. i will look into discus buffer. any link or brand is appreciated. i would really like a go with this peat pellet, but seem like fluval stop manufacturing them.

[Ca Nguyen]

oh, i found both discus and acid buffer from seachem. still searching for peat pellets

[Totenkampf]

i had a stash of peat, i think it was eheim. sera super peat is available at dr fosters smith and fluval peat comes up from google shopping. i would think that it would be used in the hydroponics industry too and that *might* be aquarium safe, i say might because i am sure they dont care abouit water clarity. seachem buffers have always worked well for me.

[Ca Nguyen]

i'm going to go with the seachem rout. let's see if i can pick this up locally

[TexSun]

Check with city pets.

[Ca Nguyen]

will do, swinging by this weekend

[eklikewhoa]

You can try alder cones, seem to work well for others and a cheap alternative

[Ca Nguyen]

i just ran some water tests. both tank A and tank B are now at 6.4!! i haven't done ANYTHING. my water is fluxuating between day and night it seem. but i don't have co2 running. is this possible? if so, what would cause a full 1.0 pH swing within a 12 hour? or maybe it's just new substrate giving me crap.