How to lower pH in an Aquarium - Tips and Advice by Tyne Valley Aquatics

This video explains 6 ways to lower the pH and soften the water in your aquarium. Many people find it difficult to keep the pH below 7 and therefore never see the proper colouration of their Tetra species, Discus, Angels and Dwarf Cichlids.
For successful breeding of these species it is essential to have the pH below 7 and soften the water.

Some of the methods explained in the video have the added benefits of also helping to combat bacteria and fungus in the aquarium which greatly helps with the proper development of eggs.

The Peat Balls, Alder Cones and Almon Leaves are available from us (we deliver Worldwide) by clicking the following link (opens new window):

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/tynevalleyaquatics/m.html

If any are sold out they will not show on the page until we relist the item - please let us know if the item you want doesn't show on the page.

Thanks for watching.

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[2001naveedpk]

Thanks Man! eager to see video about Vallisneria from your side. This sunday going to order you for some peat balls too.

[pondguru]

Peat balls are doing well at present - sending all over the world.

[2001naveedpk]

Thanks man. I want to ask one more thing to you, how to plant vallisneria and how to trim the plant? Actually I have planted some in my tank 3 months ago. I have some Swords and Cabomba too all the species thrive where only Vallisneria doesn't. If you have some time so please upload some videos about Vallisneria like it's recommended Ph etc.

[pondguru]

I really should do a better video about plants in an aquarium. I think my only plant one does mention vallis but I'm not sure.

Vallis will tollerate a wide range of pH and water conditions and needs reasonably strong light to thrive. I have noticed that quite often it will do poorly at first and die back before coming good and reproducing when it goes into a tank. Seems to do best in sand or very fine gravel and not doesn't like grazing by plecs, snails or other algae eaters.

[2001naveedpk]

@pondguru. Hello! So I would prefer to go with peat balls It is safest way. Man actually I read about Vinegar in D. Walstad's Book's "Ecology of planted aquarium", but she didn't mentioned that how much amount of the Vinegar should be added for per gallon. She wrote this technique in Her book so I guess it would be tested by her. One more thing you people sell peat balls internationally and how much time does it take to arrive? Any advice would be appreciated from your side. Thanks.

[pondguru]

Normally 5-7 working days internationally, sometimes quicker. If you are going to order any I would do it fast if you are in the US as I have been shafted by a few of people there and am considering having all US deliveries full tracked and signed for which is way expensive.

[pondguru]

It is an acid but I have never heard of anyone lowering aquarium pH with it. I would have thought it would pollute the water but I could be wrong.

[2001naveedpk]

@pondguru. Hi! One more question I have heard that vinegar is also can be used to lowering the Ph is it true? if yes than will it harm the fish or pollute the water?

[pondguru]

I would probably use either peat balls and / or alder cones to drop the pH. 2 peat balls should do it if a 10-15% water change is done weekly. Provided you have a sand substrate and no hardening rocks, the pH should come down.

[2001naveedpk]

Hi mate! I have a 108 litter tank my tap water Ph is about 8.0. I want to keep 4 discus in this tank and want to lower the Ph with Almond leaves, would you please advice how many almond leaves should I put in tank also leaving the almond leaves in tank will effect the buffering of tank. How often should I perform water changes and how?