"API PH Down" bottle use for CRS?

To My Fellow Shrimp Expert:

I am having problem lowing my PH for CRS.
I used RO water mixed with tap water before but RO water seems to be quite expensive (3.50 for 5 gallon in Canada) and not so effective.

Have anyone used the API PH Down product to lower PH straight from the tap?
I heard it is very good at lowing the PH but not stable in long term?

My tank is 20gallon and have 2 medium size driftwoods and 10 piece of Indian Almond Leafs...
Water looks like tea but still at the PH level of 6.9 to 7.0

Thanks

[bps11208]

Bro,

What soil do you use?
It will help if you could post photo for us to refer to

i am using eco complete....
cuz they don't sell any ADA soil here...
or you can buy it but its extremely expensive like 150 + the base price of the soil....

[bps11208]

Cool Layout
I suggest you read the sticky first

I'm not sure about the soil that you are using
There a a lot of other soil that can bring down the PH
Red Bee Soil, ADA, Gex, Magix Soil and Etc

If not get Dennerle Diamond Black Crystal Quartz Gravel then you lower from there on by other mean

[numbskull]

If soil is expensive there, you can try to lower using Sera Super Peat.

I would not suggest using ph down liquid i felt its not safe and would not have a stable ph reading.

Eheim Torf Peat Pellets is the same right? cuz i don't see them selling the Sera Super Peat in the big LFS in Toronto. Maybe small LFS has it...
but how long will those peat pellet last?
will they last long or every water change will decrease the effectiviness?
so i have to constancely measure the ph or when the tea color become light, its time to measure the ph and renew the peat pellet?

Also, i heard using some organic peat (like soil/powder) is the same too that i can purchase in gardening center with low price...?

If using those peat, do i have to add it directly to the filter media or can i adjust the PH in a bucket first?

For example, during water change, i usualy age a bucket of tap water. so i dip the bag of peat moss into the age water than circulate the water for few hours and measure the PH and if there is needed, i add more peat moss...
do you think it will work?

Also,
do you think using peat will be stable too?
I mean in the long run....

[bps11208]

Peat won't last long
You will have to change it and it's kind of messy and colour of your water also will change

Soil will still be the best solution and cost wise spend on the soil is about the same as spending that same amount on peat

Ada soil definately brings down ph level.... and actually stablise the ph level but how long can it do its job ar??

just curious.... I am worried that one day i have to change my soil in my tank... and i only have 1 tank.....

i heard the ada soil is good for 2 to 3 years?
i am not sure my self....

ah...ya i know soil is the best choice but i am located in Toronto Canada
i look everywhere for almost all the soil you listed but still can't find any LFS that actually sell it...

Also, there is one more question...I said a LFS that sell CRS and this sell person told me to get a special blackwater solution (i guess its the same as blackwater extract)
do you guys think its useful of lowing the ph?
they didn't use it on the CRS they are selling. I tested their water and it was SOLID ROCK HARD but i guess its okie if they are not breeding them...