How do you bring down the ph in a 55 gallon fish tank?

Answer 1

Bringing it up is super easy, but pH is nearly possible to bring down.
Products like pH-down don't work because with a high pH comes a high buffering capacity which means that although your pH will drop, it will go back to where it was in a few days.

Your options are as follows:
1) accept your pH as it is. How high is it? Most fish are highly adaptable, and are fine in most pH levels (no extremes) as long as it is stable. For example, a fish needing 7.0 pH is better off in a pH of 7.5, that a pH that fluctuated from 7 to 7.5
2) your second option is to get fish that require a high pH, such as African cichlids. This obviously won't work if you already have fish.
3) you can try to lower the pH with peatmoss. You can use it as a substrate under your gravel. Boil it first so it sinks. Or soak your water in it before your put it in the tank after a water change. The problem with this is that it taints the water brown, and it isn't stable. You can also try to lower with driftwood. Uncured driftwood leaches out tannins, tainting the water a tea colour. However, these tannins diminish over time.
4) go with bottled water, or install a reverse-osmosis system to your tap. you can get them for 100$ on e-bay. you will have to add minerals etc to the water. just make sure you test it first because some bottled water has a high pH.

Answer 2

there are a few ways. One is chemically, there are many chemicals that will bring it down(pH down as mentioned) the only thing is that you have to maintain that pH by buffering it. they also sell the buffer or it will not stay. Softening the water will also drop the pH, this is usually a great way to do it. Mopani wood will naturally lower the water pH, but it also colours the water a red colour which can be very undesirable, but discus and many other fish that love soft low pH love it. They also live naturally amongst mopani. Do not put a lot of rocks in the aquarium, especially corals and do not have a sand substrate as this will harden the water too.

Answer 3

There is a chemical called PH Down. But a better thing to get is Proper pH and the level you need (it comes in different levels for different types of fish). It keeps the level just right. If you are just starting your tank you can get a starter kit. Call your local pet store they should be able to help you with anything you need. Some store will even test your water for you for free if you bring them a sample.

Answer 4

The water in your region will have a certain pH and your housewater is probably the same as your fishstore, etc. Unless something in your tank is affecting your pH, your fish are probably used to living in it as is and you shouldn't try to mess with it.

Answer 5

You can change some water and put some PH down in it. afterwards test the water to make sure its ok

Answer 6

you can go 2 a pool store and buy some ph down and then put some declor in the tank just to be safe.

Answer 7

dilute it by adding more water, or just add special chemicals.