low ph in my tap water

Question
I have well water, very low ph, which causes problems in my tanks, I have a 45 gallon with 6 chiclids in it and I have a 20 gallon with a jellybean(female)and who knows how many fry, I also have a brand new 4-5 gallon tank that I don't have anything in yet.  the chemistry is about the same in each tank.  would it be ok to ad baking soda to the water when I do water changes and how much would i add.  I have a layer of crushed coral in the fry tank, which seams to be working somewhat but the 45 gallons ph drops when I do a water change because of my tap water have very low or no ph. what can I do

the water is hard in all the tanks

the ph is in and about 6.8

the alkalinity is normally 80ish

Answer
Hi Sara,
  6.8 is not low pH.  5.0 is low pH.  6.8 is almost exactly neutral.
What kind of cichlids do you have other than the jellybean (which is
perfectly fine at a pH of 6.8)?   Some kinds of cichlids like high pH
while other kinds like neutral or even low pH.


-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
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