Raising and maintaining pH and gH?

Question

After loosing my Beta fish, I had a full range of water tests done. It turns out that the pH is to low, (at 6) and the gH is critically low (at virtually 0) even though I had a does and a half of mineral salt in the tank. (I can’t remember what it’s called, but it’s designed to raise the gH.)

Obviously I can’t keep a fish in the water that we have with out some serious treatment… But I’m unsure if I’ll be able to manage the pH, and gH.

How hard is it to artificially raise and maintain pH levels? (To around 7.5)
And if my tap water is so soft that it’s going to take a quadruple dose of mineral salt to bring it up to liveable condition, how hard will this be to monitor and maintain?

Answer 1

You can keep fish in your water! Tetras would really love that water range big time. My water is about 24 Gdh and a pH of 7.8. Many times I would have killed to have your water!

But, that being said. Here's what you need to do. Use baking soda. It will raise the Gdh, the Kdh and the pH. The trick is to use very little. I would suggest you use a large buckket that will hold 2 gallons or more and kinda play with how much to use for your specific water. Unfortunately there is no way for anyone to tell you the answer because it depends on what is already in your water. I would suggest you use about 1/4 teaspoon in 2 gallons of water to start. Once you get the pH you want, let it set for about 24 hours and check it again. If it's still where you want it your good. If not you need to adjust how much baking soda you use. Play around with it a few days and you will find out just the right amount. Use that amount in the 2 gallons everytime you do a water change and it should hold rather stable.

If you need more help feel free to write.

MM

Answer 2

lol should be easy enuff:
To raise pH level (7-14) - add some sort of basic substance like household cleaners. Caustic soda should do the trick.
To lower pH level (0-7) - add an acidic substance. Something like vinegar should do the trick as it is acetic acid.

I belive to harden soft water, you should add CaCO3 (Calcium Carbonate) or MgCO3 (Magnesium Carbonate) - this is probably what you're adding already.

Alternative option:
just google it

Answer 3

When playing with the water, the best way to avoid disaster is doing it armed with knowledge:

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/gh_kh_ph.php

This is a link to a recipe that some African cichlid hobbiests use - you won't want to use it to as much of an extent if you keep regular fishes, but it will do the job:
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/buffer_recipe.php

Keep in mind there are many fish that will do fine in your water the way it is.