PH levels

[gambs]

I live in Katy and I seem to always have a high ph, around 7.6. I eventually would like to pair up my Bolivian rams so they can start spawning but I think I need a lower ph. Is there a way to get that lowered?

[mnemenoi]

mixing with ro water and using either a ph reducing substrate or peat is effective. We were able to achieve something in the 5 range

[gambs]

The substrate I have now is sand. What is ro water? And peat I assume is peat moss, how would I use that as well. Sorry, pretty new to everything still. Thanks!

[mnemenoi]

Ph reducing sustrate would be ada amazonia, shrimp stratum, or a few more. Reverse Osmosis water, pure water devoid of any minerals that buffer the ph up. Eheim has a peat pellet that is easy to use effeciently

[gambs]

can i put that ada amazonia under my sand? or would i need to completely change it.

[mnemenoi]

It would depend on your desired ph goal. I myself am not an advocate of capping and will usually deter anyone from doing it. ADA Amazonia has a crazy ammonia cycle when first introduced and takes a month or two before it finally calms. RO water should do enough for Bolivian rams, if it were the regulars they are far harder

[morpheus]

mnemenoi gave some good suggestions. Generally Houston water is fairly hard (KH/GH). you can buy a kit for it, but I live fairly close to you and my water is around 6 KH out of the tap and a pH of around 8.0. the peat moss/pellets make the water softer and will allow you to gradually drop the pH, as opposed to chemicals that will drop it quickly. if you don't soften the water first, then the pH will just rise again. wild swings in pH back and forth can be harmful, but a stable pH high or low is better. I have never bred rams, but have bred other fish by just leaving them alone. giving them a stable and clean environment without trying to chase the "perfect" conditions (which can cause you a headache and stress on them if not careful).

[gambs]

Thank you for your replies. It sounds like I should just leave it since my tank has been stable from inception. I will let the rams do what rams do!

[AHP]

Gambs,
If you need some RO water let me know, I can make some up and I live in Katy as well.

[gambs]

Gambs,
If you need some RO water let me know, I can make some up and I live in Katy as well.

Thanks for the offer. I am fairly new to all this so how would that work? Just drain water out for my regular change an add ro water in? I have a 120 gal tank so I usially do a 30 gal change

[AHP]

Yes, if you are doing freshwater.
An RO/DI unit is very easy to setup and cost around $160 for a good unit. I got mine because I wanted to start off right knowing that I could go into saltwater way down the road.

[gambs]

Would I need to add any chemicals back into the to water?

[AHP]

Yes & No. It depends on what you are trying to keep.
The RO water tends to decrease algee, pH and any nutrents that you would normally have to treat for.
RO is mostly used for breeding and Discus.

My setup is planted/community so I use a 50/50 mix of RO and Waste water. That way I can keep down my pH and algee. Then I would dose for whatever comes up.
Please keep in mind I am in the intial phase of this tank and it has only had water in it for 2 days.

[gambs]

I would be doing it for breeding my rams.

[gambs]

I would be interested in getting some ro water though for my next WC. See how that does in dropping ph