"API PH Down" bottle use for CRS?

Originally Posted by killer007

To My Fellow Shrimp Expert:

I am having problem lowing my PH for CRS.
I used RO water mixed with tap water before but RO water seems to be quite expensive (3.50 for 5 gallon in Canada) and not so effective.

Have anyone used the API PH Down product to lower PH straight from the tap?
I heard it is very good at lowing the PH but not stable in long term?

My tank is 20gallon and have 2 medium size driftwoods and 10 piece of Indian Almond Leafs...
Water looks like tea but still at the PH level of 6.9 to 7.0

Thanks

I have exactly the same problem as you and did a research.... only 3 ways....

Peat, Ada soil or PH down solution.......

Peat... nv try....

Ada Soil.... damn solid as i using for bigger tank..... shrimps favourite....

Ph down solution are expensive.... and i think dosing directly or even indirectly is a problem since it affects the water perimeter directly. everyday the PH in the tank water also unstable.... sometimes high sometimes low...

yes i did lots of research too...

for me because i live in canada, not much choices here...

Ada soil or other lowing ph soil is out of the question or you are willing to pay 3-5 times the orginal price (include shipping fee cuz ship from US)

Peat i never try too but heard its very unstable and have to monitor a lot...
i don't mind the tea color, i actually like the look but just not sure if it is stable or not
even i adjust the PH with peat in a bucket first and use the water as my water change water...

PH Down, one of my friend used it in BC and he said it was working for him...
he even have many CRS (higher grade one) berried...
but as you said its not stable...
but how come when adding PH Down indirectly still affect the ph?
for example, when doing my water change if i adjust the PH using the PH Down to PH 6.8 in the bucket, and used the water for water changed
when the PH is changing duing the day, it won't change a lot right? like maybe changed to 6.4 or 7.0....

cuz i was thinking of using PH Down myself....
cuz my friend said it was ok to use it
and i want to double check with you guys and see if it is okie to use PH Down...
if it is a big problem, i have to tell him not to use PH Down too...cuz he has some nice grade CRS and CBS...