Dropping pH

[TomO]

I want to keep geophagus but they like 5.5-6.5 pH. My tap water runs 7.4 in the summer to 7.8 in the winter. I guess because the ground is frozen and covered with three feet of snow the ground water get harder. How do I drop the pH?

[Fish Folk]

Several thoughts: first off, Geos are beautiful! There are many varieties to choose from, so as long as you have a good set up with fine substrate they can sift through, you’ll have a lot to choose from.

Secondly, I suspect that water hardness is more critical than pH for their long term health. If you buy them young, and allow them to mature in your water, I honestly think they’ll do fine at you pH.

By adding wood and botanicals, you can soften your water naturally, add tannins, humic acids, etc. they will appreciate the tint

[patricia]

besides adding wood and botanical you can also get ph. down by Api but of course if you dont want to add chem. and go al natural go with the wood and botanicals' catappa leaves are great too remind you, you will have brown water which is great for all fish 

[CT_]

You have to add a lot of of down depending on your kh.  I think ro or distilled water is a better bet.  Or a buffering soil. 

[Wrencher_Scott]

On 2/26/2022 at 7:31 AM, TomO said:

I want to keep geophagus but they like 5.5-6.5 pH. My tap water runs 7.4 in the summer to 7.8 in the winter. I guess because the ground is frozen and covered with three feet of snow the ground water get harder. How do I drop the pH?

Interesting, why are you worried about 7.4 to 7.8? There is nothing wrong with that. Where did you come up with 5.5 to 6.6?? I just did a quick google and I saw 6.0 to 8.0 (just like virtually every other fish)

Even if I thought they do best at 6 I would not chase for such a low pH. It's not needed or practical. 

[Mmiller2001]

On 2/26/2022 at 2:57 PM, CT_ said:

You have to add a lot of of down depending on your kh.  I think ro or distilled water is a better bet.  Or a buffering soil. 

This

[Fish Folk]

On 2/26/2022 at 6:52 PM, Wrencher_Scott said:

Interesting, why are you worried about 7.4 to 7.8? There is nothing wrong with that. Where did you come up with 5.5 to 6.6?? I just did a quick google and I saw 6.0 to 8.0 (just like virtually every other fish)

Even if I thought they do best at 6 I would not chase for such a low pH. It's not needed or practical. 

^^agree^^