pH and Wet Dry filter

[David_Hui]

Hi,

I seem to be having a hard time to keep the pH down. This is a 140 gal tank and equipped with a sump and a wet/dry filter with Bio Balls. The hardness is very low something like 2 dH for both kH and GH. I think I don't have enough CO2 in the system. I know at 7.2 is not really a problem, but if I use my tap water which is at about 9dH, the pH will raise to about 7.6/7.7...

I used peat in sump tank and it was no help. The only thing seems to lower the pH was by using Discus buffer from SeaChem. Then again, I can't use the buffer forever.

Any suggestion?

Thanks

David

[Ardan]

Hi David,

I wouldn't be too concerned about the ph unless you need to change it to induce spawning (in a pair that prefers lower ph, or for better hatch rate?)

7.6 is fine.

the best way to change ph is to first lower the KH (so not so much carbonates to counteract acids) to lower KH (and GH) RO water is mixed with tap water
(then add small amount of acid or sometimes ph will lower just by lowering KH)
hth