pH Advice

[Divemaster]

Setting up my first cory breeding project. It's a 15 gallon (24" x 12" x 12") that will house 5-6 C. paleatus. Problem is I have a high pH of 7.6 out of the tap. While I'm pretty sure they'd still breed in that I'd like it to be at least. 7.4 or lower (preferably 7.0-7.2). What would be a good method to lower the pH to 7.0-7.4 but not any lower? Also would I need to lower pH of the water I'm replacing to the same as the tank during water changes before adding it or doesn't it matter?

[Divemaster]

Bump.

[MChambers]

There isn't a really good way to lower the pH of your water. The problem is that any way to lower the pH will not be stable and will require you to replace water during water changes with water with the same pH.

A better way to deal with this just to use different water, such as water obtained by reverse osmosis or rainwater. I don't know if either of those are a possibility for you. For example, you could use a 50/50 mix of tapwater and rainwater.

You can lower pH by using peat moss, or Indian almond leaves, but you also will need to do this with the water you use for water changes, or you will have fluctuating pH, which is not good for your fish.

You might be best off just going with the water you have and seeing how your fish tolerate it.

[verbal]

For C. paleatus your best bet would be to see how they do with your water without changing the parameters. If you get into the more challenging cories, you may need to use a mix of RO water or rain water as mentioned by mchambers.

[Divemaster]

Ok, thanks guys! I'll just try standard 7.6 water for now and if I can breed them in that then I won't change it. Otherwise I'll mix rainwater.