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Horse Freak! asked in PetsFish · 1 decade ago

alkilinity and pH are high what do i do to bring it down?

ok so i set up my aquarium on january 2nd and it is going really well. But i tested my water today and it showed that my alkalinity was300ppm high and that my pH was alkaline so i put some pH stuff in(proper pH 7.0) But how do i make the alkalinity go down to were it is supposed to be?

Update:

oh by the way here is what i have aquarium salt, water clarifier, water conditioner,proper pH 7.0, and jungle labs quick dip test kit

4 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    The problem with these crap products like pH up and down is that it simply does not treat the source of it, the hardness as you know you have. Driftwood, Peat Moss, even using RO water usually will help. You need to safely lower your hardness levels, otherwise, you can pour a whole bucket of pH down in there, and in a few days, it's just going to bounce right back up, not to mention the damage you are doing to the fish putting them through massive swings like that.

    You need to slowly and safely lower the pH by lowering your GH and KH. Again, Peat Moss, and driftwood are great sources for this, and RO use in water changes is pretty effective.

    Just for a side note, baking soda will only RAISE it. Baking Soda is Calcium BiCarbonate, which is basically going to just raise your hardness, and your pH, not lower. I'd disregard any suggestions about using baking soda.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Best thing to do is to test your source water for the same parameters. If you have fine pH and alkalinity there, then most likely it is going to be something you are adding to the water. Without knowing what you are starting with, its hard to give a remedy.

    The aquarium salt is going to give you a bit higher alkalinity and pH but if your source water is high in pH and alkalinity to begin with, your problems will be intensified.

    What you can do is use RO/DI (reverse osmosis/deionized water) or distilled water. Do a partial water change with the water you know is at a 7.0 pH and no alkalinity. This should help balance the two out.

  • 1 decade ago

    when you got your pH test kit you should of got a product called pH down but i just use baking soda t is the same stuff

    Source(s): me
  • 1 decade ago

    go to your local pet shop they will have a product that will make it go down. its just a liquid especially made to lower your pH

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