My question is, is p.h down for aquariums the same stuff thats used in mini pools? or are there differences in the two, does anyone know please?

Merry Christmas, No I don't believe they are the same, Different chemicals are utilized for the aquarium, I usually don't mess with the PH, normally fish will adapt to a wide range of PH as long as it is consistent. However a natural way to lower PH is adding some Peat moss to your aquarium. Some drift woods and rocks can also effect the PH of your water.

cheers, i realize that now but didnt before. Going to be changing a few things in the tank to help with p.h. I have been looking into peat by introducing it via a overhanging box filter and adding some bog or mopani wood.

why? what is your concern with your pH? an stable pH at 6 to 8 is fine.

an erratic pH is not good, say 7 today...then all of a sudden it will drop
to 6...then up to 8 in a matter of days...that is a bad pH.

its just the tap water has a high p.h and dont want to keep using chemicals to lower it.

can you describe your tap pH and what is your tank pH? mixing the two
would give you variable level depending on the quantity of mixture.
but if the mixture will give you pH with in the stable range, i won't
be bother much.

The tap p.h is about 8 and since ive started, tried to maintain a p.h of around 6.5 to 7 in the tank.

woldog wrote:

have you tested your water after water change without applying chemicals?
if you don't, you have to do it to determine if you really need to apply
anything to alter the pH. a pH of 7 and a pH of 7.2 after water change won't
hurt your fishes.

PAUL wrote:


I have done that and noticed it rising so i bought p.h down and have been using that, but as i said dont want to keep using chemicals so wood or peat would be the way to go, Imo.

rising to what level??? as i had said, a fraction difference wouldn't hurt your fish.
so give us the data how high it rises after water change. only then we can evaluate
whether it is bad or fine pH.

PAUL wrote:


It rises only to about 8 or just higher but want to keep lower p.h. i think its because i dont treat for p.h until after water change. maybe i should treat water before adding to tank.

Ok Hun, I see what your saying.. But, a steady PH at 8.0 or even a little higher will be better for your fish than a constantly moving one. If it goes down when you add the pH down and then rises after a W/C. that is too much movement... i would stop using the chemicals. JMO