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[Fergus]

I have just received a freshwater aquaium and am trying to get it started. I live in a very hard water area and the ph in the tank is 9 have tried ph buffering chemicals that just turned the water like milk. Do I need to do anything or will the fish adjust and with respiration etc slowly lower the ph?

[chrisfraser05]

I haven't tried it as the PH in my water is low but aparently driftwood will lower it ;)

[Raie]

ph 9 is very high - i don't think any fish will enjoy that if they survive. CO2 will bring the ph down - pressurized is best though expensive, supposed to be the best (some say only) way to control ph. what fish are you keeping?

[190MPH]

Welcome to the forum Fergus. A pH of 9 is fine for species from Lake Tanganyika, but what you can keep all depends on the size of the tank. If you are new to all of this, make sure you learn about cycling a new tank, and do lots of research on any fish you are considering. Remember, the only dumb question here is one that's not asked!

[Lady Hobbs]

I have tons of wood in my tank and my pH started at 7.6 and remained at 7.6. If wood does lower pH, it's such a small amount that it barely matters. I think you will have a real problem with that pH.

Fish can adapt to higher levels but your 9 is about off the charts. I honestly don't see any way of reducing that pH other than thru RO water but that's an expense you may not want to get into. The only fish I think you'll be able to keep is "possibly" african cichlids and I'm not too sure about those. The chemicals that reduce pH will only work for a few hours and then it will shoot right back up again endangering the fish even more. Don't buy them.

I hope someone else has a solution for you but I can think of nothing else but the RO. Make sure you use regular freshwater substrate and don't get crushed coral as that will raise the pH even more.

[rich311k]

I am with LH, either keep hard water fish or mix your tap with RO water. I do not see much else that could be done. Driftwood or peat would have little effect.

[Northernguy]

Welcome to the Fabulous AC!
Are you using test strips or a liquid test kit to test your water?
9 is real high.I also think Africans would be best suited to that ph.

[wolf_eyes]

How big is your tank? I also think africans are the way to go, but depending on the size of the tank, it may limit what fish you can have as well.

[tanks4thememories]

I have just received a freshwater aquaium and am trying to get it started. I live in a very hard water area and the ph in the tank is 9 have tried ph buffering chemicals that just turned the water like milk. Do I need to do anything or will the fish adjust and with respiration etc slowly lower the ph?

You have some great advice here. If I may add:
If you want to use your own water (Tap or well..I didn't see it mentioned which you are using), Then it is often best to select fish that thrive in your natural PH instead of buffering and adding chemicals to keep it lowered. If not then just use RO water.

I would personally look up fish that like the PH I have and then choose from among those that fit in my tank. Or use RO water.

Hope that helps ya some, Good Luck and welcome to AC!!