Re: pH & hydra

["A. Inniss" <andrewi@u.washington.edu>]

	Your water is much like Seattle's, where I live, so I am familiar
with your problem.For those of us with water like ours, it is not unusual
for products designed to alter water chemistry to work improperly.  Such
products often cater to a water chemistry more like what most of
the rest of the country has.
	If your pH is crashing despite low nitrate levels (sa, less than
30ppm), then you could try adding small amounts of reactive material:
shell, aragonite, some types of calcareous rocks, etc.  If you decide to
use smaller bits of shell, or aragonite, you could tie them up in a nylon
bag and place them in your filter.  You could also purchase something like
Seachem's Malawi/Victoria Buffer, and try using it at 1/8th strength,
adjusting the amount as needed.  I mention this particular product only
because I use it in that manner in one of my own tanks, and I find that it
works well.  I started at 1/8th strength, but now use ~1/4 strength.
	Planting a well-lit tank is another option, but this option would
involve other details that you may not want to get into.

			Good luck,



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