MelbBill Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 Wondering if anyone has any advice as to how to get a pH this low and maintain it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ged Posted January 8, 2011 Share Posted January 8, 2011 You could add peat to your filter or adding driftwood that will leach tannins into the water. Alternatively you could try Indian Almond Leaves. The Betta enthusiasts rave about them. There is plenty of information on how best to use them. Sodium Bisulfate could be used as a chemical method but will not maintain the pH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ged Posted January 8, 2011 Share Posted January 8, 2011 I should have added that the ability to lower you pH will be affected by the other water parameters. The KH (buffering capacity) will be affected by lowering the ph and will be susceptible to fluctuations. It may help to know what the current water chemistry is to start with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Link2Hell Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 Bill you have me curious ............. what you want to put in this water Appisto or West African ........ maybe Transvestitus ??? what is your water parameters for you area in Melb as I understood most of the water supply is fairly soft RO water starter and build it from there Muriatic acid added to tapwater and build from there using peat or almond leaves to add to what you get don't know how stable it will be after reducing carbonate levels to near nil so you can get that low have you found any recipes from blackwater species sites ? Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelly Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 I have had a bit of experiance with this To get it that low add driftwood and wood eating plecs. Orange spot or peppermint bns or L104s do a decent job, but there are better choices. Their poo will be very low in ph and in about a week u will see yr tank ph drop. At ph 5 water is unstabe and difficult to maintain. It wont take much to cause large ph swings (eg.a water change or top up) so be careful. Peat, buffers or blackwater extract work but their effects are minimal compared to processed dw Also remove all rocks and gravel RO water would be the go if u have access hth Aaron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gav Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 a simpler way than all of the above is to use seachem discus buffer or seachem acid buffer. both will lower your ph and remove most of your kH. it is stable enough as long as you dont add anything that may potentially increase the pH. just the smallest amount of bicarbonate or the like will take the pH through the roof. fluctuations can happen with water changes if you dont remember to add buffer to your new water, but if you always remember then there is no problems. i ran a ph at this level in a tank without issue for a couple of years using these buffers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rod54 Posted January 10, 2011 Share Posted January 10, 2011 I have a few species of wild betta(bubblenesters not mouthbrooders) "Real" peat substrate Rainwater for water changes Ketapang leaf once a fortnight rebuilt tank every 6 months....change 50% of substrate with New peat water is the colour of strong tea....so this setup would not suit most However fish love it ....when you can see them...they are brilliant colours and display strongly They have breed in very heavily planted tanks.....rainwater + no peat substrate + ketapang leaves still difficult to see....due to plant density rather than water colour IMO.... I think it is a mistake to focus only on ph....ie add buffers TDS is more important Hard water fish.....buffers are ok Soft water fish......use soft water not chemical additives! I'd suggest concerns of flucuation in ph would be relavent if you focus ONLY on ph and use treated tap water + buffers Never had a problem using rainwater.....that's what happens in nature!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelbBill Posted January 10, 2011 Author Share Posted January 10, 2011 Thanks very much Rod. You have hit the nail right on the head with wild Betta species Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Link2Hell Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 Ok I feel some pics are required here Bill .... Rod these fish are something you don't see every where Rod I'm guessing that yours came from Jodi Bill did you source yours from her also Guy's do you have any pics of your tank set ups Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelbBill Posted January 11, 2011 Author Share Posted January 11, 2011 Chris Yep majority of mine came from Jodi. She is wonderful. Will try to get some photos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rod54 Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 This is an image of my male uberis.....note the cloudy water is fry first food! This is the planted breeding tank.....photo of the peat tank would be a waste of time... I got mine from AquaBid.....Jodi got them in for me She also got me burdigala and rubra Doin' the deed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Link2Hell Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 very nice Rod Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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