I have read all the posts relating to trying to change the pH in a tank, but I still have a question for the community. I am currently in the process of doing a fishless cycle on my 30gal tank so I know I shouldn't mess with the pH now or it might stall my cycle. My main question is in regards to after I complete the cycle, before I add fish should I attempt to lower the pH in the tank? The only fish I know for sure that I am getting is neon tetra's and some kind of cory cat. My pH is consistently 8.0. I know fish prefer a stable pH, but since no fish have been introduced yet should I attempt to make it more habitable for them prior to adding them? If so, what should I do to affect the pH, since I have heard all the chemicals (like api ph down) are just temporary changes? I have a very basic tank with fake plants and rainbow and turfa rock for decoration (my first tank, trying to keep it simple). Thanks for the help everyone! Loving my new hobby so far and I don't even have any fish yet!

The safest way is with ro water. But what are your gh and kh?

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I kept Cardinal Tetras in 8.2 water for a few months before I started injecting CO2 and didn't have any issues. As long as you properly acclimate fish, they will usually do fine - for the majority of them out there anyway.

I don't know for sure, the api master test kit doesn't have a mix for that but I have been told that the area where I live has fairly hard water. There are iron ore mines in the area if that helps, I know they can make water harder. What exactly is ro water?

A ph of 8.0 is perfect for Rift Valley Cichlids, Livebearers and Brackish water fishes, not for Corys and Tetras. If you really want to lower your ph I would start by making water changes with distilled or de-mineralized water. You can also get some peat and place it in your filter but this may turn your water brown. High ph usually means your water is hard. Test it to be sure. Cardinal and Neon Tetras don't like hard water and will not have bright colors.

Honestly,I would leave it be.If you slowly acclimate the fishes per drip method(explained in a sticky here)then the fish will be just fine with the PH.

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The only way I change or recommend others change pH is to add plants which consume carbon dioxide. That has the side effect of raising pH so it is not done to modify pH.

my .02

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fw leiden since 1979, fo salt since 1979, mixed reef 55g 2002-2009. Strong emphasis on the tank taking care of itself. Balanced with plant life, no water changes, tap water, no filters in FW. Only dosing calcium, alk, mag in marine reef tanks. http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/my-...ods-26410.html
recent tanks (till 2009) 7 years- 10g FW leiden 7 yrs, 55g mixed reef 7, 2 yrs, 20g FW leiden, 10 g fw leiden , 29g mixed reef, current tank 55g leiden

Good morning jeb...

I've always run my tanks with the idea that my job is to keep tank conditions steady and really don't know exactly what pH is or does.

Unless you have a real problem with your city water, very unlikely, it won't ever be acidic (below 7).

I wouldn't worry about pH, your fish will adapt. In my humble opinion, you're wasting time and money trying to change the pH in your water. I don't think you can keep the level steady and you might risk the health of your fish.

Just one humble reporter's opinion.

B

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Maybe this just "could" have an effect. Never saw a difference in my hard well water.

Not sure if it counts but I had glolight and head and tail light tetras,in PH of 8.4.They were plenty bright for me.

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