Why Is My Aquarium pH Low? What Pulls It Down and How to Raise It Slowly

Cherry shrimp among plants on dark aquarium substrate

Low aquarium pH means acid is winning against the water’s buffer: soft tap or RO water, buffer used up in an older tank, acids from driftwood, peat or aqua soil, or extra carbon dioxide. Test pH, KH and your tap water, fix the cause, then raise pH in small steps.