Simple pH question

[MoonPye]

Ok I know there's no such thing as a SIMPLE pH question.. got your attention, though, didn't it? LOL

My question is: Can you use vinegar to lower pH? If so, how much? Or are we going to get into a discussion on kH and buffers, etc etc etc?

[mikev]

Yes...see here for some details. but since there are a plenty of ways of lowering pH that are known to be safe, I'm not sure it is worth trying.

Driftwood or peat moss are best since they will pull pH down for a long time, keeping water more stable.

[MoonPye]

Thank you!

I did put a large piece of driftwood in the aquarium today; how long before I see it affect the pH?

I was considering using peat moss.. is this something that fish stores carry? Honestly I've never heard of it before joining this forum. Is it the same peat moss you use in gardening?

[mikev]

Thank you!

I did put a large piece of driftwood in the aquarium today; how long before I see it affect the pH?

Cannot be answered: this depends on the piece.... After some time (months, years) any piece of driftwood will stop working, as it will spent the tannic acid.

Give it a couple of days and then recheck the pH.

Peat Moss: I do buy it at a lfs...don't know if it is the same as for gardening.

[Diana]

Yes, you cannot talk about pH without talking about KH.

Test some samples in a bucket before you try it on the fish. Set up a 5 gallon bucket with 1/4 cup of peat moss. Circulate the water (and air bubbler is fine) and test KH, GH and pH daily for several days to a week. Does this do what you want? Can you re-create this recipe every time you do a water change so the conditions in the tank are stable?

If the peat moss does not do the trick it may well be that the KH is too high. (much over about 3-4 degrees and the KH will buffer the water to a higher pH in spite of the peat moss) You will have to reduce the KH, for example by mixing tap water + reverse osmosis water until the KH is low enough that it does not buffer the pH back up.

Around here peat moss is the same as for gardening: I buy it at Home Depot by the bale. Make sure there are no additives such as sufactants (wetting agents) or fertilizers. I get pure Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss.