tank setup, ph issues

Question
Hi,We have recently set up a 29 gal. freshwater tank about 6wks now.  We went from a 10 gal. tank.  We have well water which tests at 7.2.  We cycled our new tank with our old 10 gal. filter and 4 platys.  We added a new 30 gal. filter as well.  We have gravel, 2 pcs of driftwood, 2 live plants.  Our ph is about 8.2.  We have been doing reg. water changes and gravel vacuuming.  Each time the ph lowers to 7.4 and within 12 hrs it is up to 8.2.  We had a higher ph in our 10 gal. but not this high.  Right now in the tank we have 2 platys(lost 2)., a swordtail, a molly, a border loach, 2 bristlenose plecos, and 4 blackskirt tetras(from our original tank, very hardy).  I know our well water is also hard.  I don't like the idea of adding chemicals.  We used the driftwood and have put peat in the filter bags.  My son thinks we may only be able to have cichlids eventually.  It is very frustrating trying to lower the ph.  Any ideas?  Our tap(well) water isn't that high!  Thank you !!

Answer
Hi Beatrice,

I use R/O water and it comes with perfect ph, around 7 and we don't have any rises or lowers, because we never, ever use tap water.

Because you live in a hard water area, such as I do, this is what I also recommend for you.

If you have a local Raley's, Safeway or Food Max, they have the water dispensers that fill 5 gallon bottles there.  Mine costs $1 for five gallons of filtered water.  That system uses a R/O system to filter and sometimes they also sterilize using UV, as ours does.  That water is clean!  

It also has excellent PH and so it's not hard for the fish.  I'm suprised the tetra are surviving, as they require low PH.

Good luck and kudos to you for avoiding chemicals.  :)  Your fish will love you for it.

Renee