My pH is dropping a lot in my tank with the aquasoil?Updated a month ago

Aquasoils absorb KH due to their peat content. The acidic substrate is preferred by most aquatic plant species. Aquasoil will also slightly soften the water (lowering both KH and pH), which is beneficial to plants and animals from soft water habitats. This makes the pH of the water naturally acidic, between 6.2 and 6.6. As the majority of species in the aquarium trade come from soft water areas, this environment is suitable for a wide range of species. This substrate is not suitable for fish that require an alkaline environment such as African Rift Cichlids and Mollies.

If CO2 injection is used, the pH will drop further. For most tanks using the combination of soft water and Aquasoil, the pH will drop into the 5+ range. A 1pH drop due to CO2 equates to around 30+ppm CO2, which is a good level for planted aquariums.

Most tanks in the 2hr Aquarist gallery measure pH between 5.2 and 5.5. Shrimp reproduce regularly within these ranges and we have maintained the same reproducing population for the last 8 years.