I would like suggestions for lowering pH

[Iclimb06]

I know that most hobbyists suggest that you do not adjust the pH of your water and that it can to more harm than good. However, at the tap, my water has a pH of 8.8. I kept fish at this pH for nearly a year without any serious consequences. But this fall I purchased a very nice pleco, I had it for a week and then it died during a water change. After talking to the owner of the LFS he said it was likely the High pH that we have here in St. Louis. He introduced me to a product called Water-Rite. It has been specifically designed for the water around here and both conditions the water and adjusts the pH. Using this product my pH has remained stable at around 7.8, still a bit on the high side, but I have noticed that my fish recover much more quickly from the stress of water changes.
All has been good until my last trip to the LFS to replace my supply of Water-Rite. According to LFS rumors, the guy who makes this product is closing up shop, and the product will no longer be available. So now I need to figure out a way to adjust my pH and was wondering if anyone had some suggestions of products and techniques. I have two tanks, a 29 gallon, and a 125 gallon, so mixing in a bucket and checking the pH before adding to the tank would just take too much time. With Water-Rite, I added the product to a bucket and mixed it with about three gallons of water and slowly added it to the tank while filling the tank with my Python.
I have been looking at sea-chem and Kent products; however I do not know anyone who uses any of these products. Any suggestions of products or techniques would be greatly appreciated. Also, let me know whether or not you use a buffer, which I am currently planning to use.
Thanks in advance.

[PostalPenguin]

How hard is your water? If its not liquid rock, a bunch of driftwood will drop the pH as it leeches tannic acid into the water. You can also try using peat inside your filter or under your substrate. Maybe get an HOB and just stuff it with peat. Perhaps build yourself a DIY CO2 system since bubbling CO2 into the water will drop the pH as well.

And a solution could be to use all of the above.

[Iclimb06]

Thanks for the reply.
To answer your question, I do not know exactly how hard my water is. When I used to use strips to test my water, I remember that it usually tested at around 150 ppm (GH).
I currently have a large piece of drift wood soaking for the 125 gallon. However, I am not a big fan of the tannin in the water which is why it has been soaking the last three weeks. Besides my personal preference for crystal clear water, I have a roommate that has come to expect that my tanks stay as clean as possible. As far as peat moss goes, I have heard that it can cause dangerous fluctuations in pH just as adjusting ph using additives can.
I am hoping to find a replacement for the Water-Rite product I have been using. I was very happy with that product, and I could not detect any fluctuations in the pH. The old product was a powder, so that is why I am leaning toward the Kent products. Also, I am going to have to make a decision in the near future because I am almost out of Water-Rite, and I am nearing water change time. I figure that it would be best to keep the pH down where it is rather than let it go back up and then bring it back down again.

[Lady Hobbs]

Personally, I think you will have to invest in an RO unit and use it just for the tanks. Your water is ridiculously bad, isn't it. Wood and peat pellets help but not that much and your problem will be ongoing until that water can go thru an RO.

[Iclimb06]

Lady Hobbs, I just checked out RO systems, and they are expensive. The cheapest one Drs. F&S have is $150, and has a rate of a whopping 35 gallons per day, even if I pay $400, it would still take over six hours to do a water change. It would take me all day to do a water change. The biggest problem is that I live in an apartment so I do not have the ability to store water ahead of time. Also, I can’t take up the faucet all day for an RO unit; I think it might tick off the roommate.
I’m sorry I keep turning down everyone’s suggestions, I feel like such a “Negative Nancy.” I really do appreciate the replies, so please keep them coming.
Thank You

[PostalPenguin]

Perhaps ask the LFS for the contact info of the guy who makes it. If he makes it himself locally, you likely have access to all the ingredients yourself and can ask him for his recipe. My guess would be its a powdered buffer or powdered acid like acetic acid.

You could try adding liquid acetic acid aka vinegar to the water. Its an organic acid and bacteria will decompose it to CO2 in the end. A DIY CO2 reactor is cheap and will drive down the pH as well.

[Iclimb06]

The owner of the LFS is looking to get the recipe himself and continue making it. However, even if he is able to do that, it will be a while before it happens. So I just need to figure out something to get me by until then. I know that there are products specifically designed to lower the ph in aquariums. I do not have a problem using them. I just was hoping to find someone who has experience using this type of product and could give me some help on how to minimize the stress that might be put on my fish.
Also, I do not want to get into the whole CO2 Diffuser thing because it seems like a pain to keep up. In addition I do not have any real plants, so I do not get the added benefit of helping them out. Also, I plan to add some type of air stone so I am afraid that might be counterproductive.

[Fins]

I am far from an expert about any of this. My first tank was a 10 gallon kit from China-Mart in 07. I've just upgraded from a AC filter to a Ehiem 2213 and am in the process of going to a 20 gallon tank for my 2 "goldfish" and small placo. Anyway my first questions were directed to the Tetra site and when I asked about PH, which I was having a time getting down to the recommended levels I was told that it really didn't matter that much as the fish will adapt to whatever the PH is and so I've never really worried about it since and have had no problems.

I also have inherited some fish from my father-in-law, one a gold fish which is over 20 years old. They live in a 39 gallon tank with a Fluval 205 filter and again I've not worried about the PH and they do fine.

I do regular water changes, clean the filters and vacuum the gravel weekly.

I have read that RO water has no oxygen in it and if you don't deal with that you could suffocate your fish. Here again I don't know this for a fact.

Lots of good reading here; learning a lot

[Northernguy]

Fins Welcome to the Fabulous AC!:22:
Don't be shy about starting your own thread.This is called thread hi-jacking.Sorry not trying to be rude.:11:
You can use the search bar and get moter answers to your questions.
Lots of members here use RO water.:19:

[squideater]

I can only tell you that this has worked for me after the last few months after experiencing 8+ PH and many deaths and much frustration. I have just posted asking of others experience and am waiting for response.

I use a little white vinegar in my water. 1/8 teaspoon plus a few drops per gallon of water and prepare a gallon every day and put it into my 5 gallon pail. When it comes time for a water change I put in declorinator and do the change. I got this advice from a water testing professional (the guy you call and tests the water when you are concerned about water safety).

My tank may just be full of survivors, but I have had very few deaths in the last few months. People say I may be hurting my fish--all I can say is they are surviving.

You would have to experiement with the dosage based upon your water.

I don't know the long term effects but it is an inexpensive method that has worked for me.

I hope others share their experiences with white vinegar.

Good luck, I know I was about to give up my tank. Now I don't have room to put in anyone else.

[bushwhacker]

the only thing i can say is the pleco was not acclimated to the water yeah i know thats high but i doubt it was the ph that killed him

[ko4000]

Im going to go in a different direction. Instead of having to constantly change you water chemistry for your current stock why not get fish that will like your water. African Cichlids for example, I may be partial b/c they are my fav. but they would love your water.