pH Again

[pki]

I'm using hydrochloric acid to try to pull pH ~8+, to a little under 7. How will this affect how long it takes until it stabilizes on it's own? Pete

[Mean and Green]

how much HCL did you put in, and how many liters is your system?

[pki]

I don't measure the amount of HCL, just a dash, about 1/4 cup. System is low now so about 10,000 liters total water. Dry season will end hopefully this week, rain my principle water source, comes down about pH 8+

[Pugo]

I have been reading and found that lots of people are using lemon juice to lower their PH. can't get much safer than that.. although I like PH at 7.

[pki]

Citric acid kills bacteria.

[Pugo]

I think a couple of table spoons would be to diluted to cause much damage to bacteria.. All the acids we use would kill bacteria in the wrong concentration. And as the system matures the bacteria makes acid which lowers the PH on the system, that is why we have to buffer the system to keep PH from getting to low.

[Mean and Green]

So what base do you add once the ph becomes to low?

[Ravnis]

I use to use calcium hydroxide, but if not carefully added can damage gills. I have used potassium bicarbonate with great results. Adds carbonate and pottasium. A very little goes a long way. I generally add to a bucket of tank water and mix. Then pour it into the system a little at a time. Sudden ph increase or decrease will kill fish and bacteria.

[pki]

Thanks for input, but the original question. Will manually pulling pH down with acid, change how long it takes till it stabilizes on it's own. Pete

[Frydaze1]

Thanks for input, but the original question. Will manually pulling pH down with acid, change how long it takes till it stabilizes on it's own. Pete

That depends entirely on what is causing it to be so high.