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After testing the water, a high pH level indicates an alkaline nature. Water with a high pH can have serious effects, whether you're drinking it, adding it to a pool, fish tank, or using it for irrigation. For example, water with high pH in fish tanks can cause fish illnesses. In pools, a high pH can irritate skin and eyes. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce the pH level of water.
Steps
Drinking Water
Squeeze lemon juice into a glass of water to adjust the pH every time you drink it. If you don't want to treat the water at the source and don't mind the lemon flavor, you can drop 2-3 drops of lemon juice into your glass of water. Lemon juice is acidic, which will lower the water's pH.
- You can also drop a lemon slice into the water if you prefer a stronger lemon taste.
- Using pure citric acid will have a similar effect.
Install a faucet water filter to reduce pH at the water source. A water filter works by removing minerals from the water, which are responsible for raising the pH, such as sodium, fluoride, and potassium. Depending on the brand, the filter can be installed by screwing it onto the faucet. When you turn on the tap, the filter will lower the water's pH.
- You can find water filters at household goods stores or supermarkets.
- A household water filter can filter about 40 liters of water per hour.
Lower the pH of large amounts of water using food acids. Food acids such as phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, and lactic acid are commonly used when a recipe or fermentation process requires low pH water. The acid concentration in the water depends on the type of acid used and the desired pH level, so it's important to read the packaging carefully.
- These products are often available at stores that supply fermentation or brewing products.
Did you know? You might be surprised by the idea of adding acid to water, but acids form harmless compounds when neutralized. Be sure to read the product labels and use the acid properly!
Install an acid pumping system to solve the problem. An acid pumping system helps balance pH by measuring the pH as water flows from the source. The system then pumps food-grade acid into the water to balance the pH as it leaves the faucet. The acid pumping system must be installed by a professional, and you should work with a local water treatment expert if you choose this option.
- The system and installation cost may reach up to $1500 (in the U.S.), but if your water source has pH issues, this is an effective solution.
Water for Plants
Find out the pH level your plants need. Before figuring out how to lower the pH of the water, you must know whether the plants you're growing need an acidic or alkaline environment. Some plants, like azaleas and sweet potatoes, thrive in acidic conditions. However, other plants, including wisteria and beets, prefer neutral or slightly alkaline environments.
- Most plants grow best with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0.
Squeeze lemon juice into your plant watering can. If you add 0.5 ml of lemon juice to liters of water, the pH will drop by about 1.5 units. Freshly squeezed lemon juice can be used immediately or stored in a bottle, but it must be 100% pure.
- You can also use citric acid instead of lemon juice, but make sure to dilute it with some water first.
- If you're planning to check the water later, stir the water well and wait about 5 minutes to ensure the lemon juice is evenly distributed.
Add vinegar to the water. Measure about 15 ml of pure white vinegar and pour it into 4 liters of water. The acidity of the vinegar will help neutralize the alkalinity of the water, reducing the pH from around 7.5 - 7.7 to about 5.8 - 6.0.
- The pH of vinegar is between 2 and 3, and lemon juice has a pH of 2, so their effect on the water is similar.
Pool Water
Quickly adjust pH with muriatic acid. Muriatic acid, also known as hydrochloric acid, is commonly used to lower pool water pH. Depending on the product you purchase, you can add the acid directly to the pool or dilute it in a bucket before adding it. When pouring muriatic acid into the pool, hold the acid container near the water's surface to prevent splashing. You can also pour the acid into the return water flow for faster distribution, ensuring the discharge port faces down into the pool.
- Muriatic acid is available at pool supply stores.
- Read the product label carefully to determine how much muriatic acid to add to your pool.
- Start with less than the recommended amount and wait 4 hours before retesting. Add more acid if necessary.
Warning: Muriatic acid and sodium bisulfate are corrosive chemicals. Be sure to read and follow the instructions on the packaging. Work in a well-ventilated area, wear gloves and safety goggles. After adding muriatic acid to the pool, wait at least 4 hours before using the pool.
Sodium bisulfate is a gentler solution. Sodium bisulfate is usually in granular form, and depending on the manufacturer's instructions, you may add it directly to the pool or dissolve it in a bucket before adding it to the pool. Sodium bisulfate helps stabilize the pool's pH after it has been lowered, making it a better long-term maintenance option.
- Although it is still a hazardous chemical, sodium bisulfate is not as strong as muriatic acid. However, it is not as fast-acting and often lowers the total alkalinity of the pool to a level lower than desired.
- Use the information on the packaging and the pH value to determine the correct amount of sodium bisulfate for your pool.
- Sodium bisulfate is also available at pool supply stores.
Install a CO2 system in your pool for long-term balance. Some CO2 systems operate entirely automatically, meaning they will monitor the pool water's pH and add CO2 to lower the pH if necessary. Other systems are manual, meaning you'll need to monitor the pH daily and adjust the CO2 flow as needed. You should consult with a pool expert to determine which system is right for you.
- These systems range in price from $300 to over $10,000 (in the U.S.), depending on the features you want, but they are more cost-effective than continually purchasing pH-balancing chemicals.
Test the pH at least twice a week with a testing kit. Chemicals used in the pool can become imbalanced if you don't keep an eye on the water, so you should check the pH 2-3 times a week, even after you've balanced it. You can use Litmus pH strips if you'd like, but a DPD testing kit will provide more accurate results. This kit helps measure both the pH and total alkalinity of the water, along with chlorine levels, so you can balance all these factors at once.
- Oils from the skin, sunscreen, lotions, and dirt can throw off the pool's pH balance. If the pool is used daily, you should check the pH daily.
- pH testing kits are available at pool supply stores.
Fish Tank Water
Install a CO2 aeration device to temporarily lower the pH in your fish tank. Adding a CO2 aeration system to your tank can slightly reduce the pH, and it works quickly, making it a good option if the pH suddenly increases. However, CO2 is costly, and the pH will rise again as soon as the aeration stops, so this is not a long-term solution.
- You can purchase CO2 from aquarium supply stores.
Warning: Adjusting the pH of your fish tank too quickly can cause shock to the fish. To avoid this, remove the fish from the tank before reducing the pH.
Install a reverse osmosis filtration system for large aquariums. Reverse osmosis systems are highly effective, capable of removing up to 99% of impurities from the water while leaving beneficial ions for the fish. Since impurities contribute to higher pH, the pH will automatically lower when the system cleans the water.
- This filtration system can cost up to $50 (in the U.S.) and requires significant space, so it is better suited for larger aquariums.
Place driftwood in your aquarium to naturally filter the water and for decoration. In addition to its decorative purpose, driftwood can also help filter the water. A small piece of driftwood can reduce and stabilize the pH in your aquarium. Additionally, it provides a fun spot for the fish to explore.
- Driftwood may sometimes alter the color of the water. To avoid this, soak the driftwood in a bucket of water for several days before placing it in the tank.
- Do not use driftwood meant for reptile tanks, as it may have been treated with chemicals that could leak into the water and harm the fish.
- A small piece of driftwood can effectively filter aquarium water, so choose a size that fits the tank's landscape.
Add decaying moss to your filter tray for natural water filtration. Since decaying moss can clump together and get sucked out when cleaning the aquarium, it's best to place it in a mesh bag and place it in the filter tray. The decaying moss will support the filtration system and help lower the pH of the aquarium water. The amount of moss needed depends on the size of the filter tray.
- Decaying moss can also alter the color of the water. To avoid this, soak the moss in a bucket of water for a few days before use.
- The amount of moss required will depend on the aquarium size and the pH level you wish to achieve. Experiment to find the appropriate amount for your tank.
- You can purchase decaying moss online or at aquarium supply stores.
Add 2-3 banyan leaves to your aquarium to adjust the pH. Banyan leaves, also known as Indian almond leaves, contain compounds that can remove impurities from the water. This not only helps lower the pH to a more stable level but the chemicals in the leaves can also prevent or treat certain fish diseases, promoting healthier fish!
- The tannins in banyan leaves may slightly alter the color of the water, but not as noticeably as decaying moss or driftwood.
Remove any crushed coral from the aquarium if present. If your aquarium is having pH issues, the substrate layer might be the cause. While crushed coral enhances the tank's appearance, it also raises the pH of the water, so it should only be used if the fish you keep prefer an alkaline environment.
