Sand and pH - how to lower??

[Pufferpunk]

What kind of sand are you using? Aragonite sand will raise the pH but plain sand shouldn't.

[Iliveinazoo]

Coral sand will also up the pH and that is because both coral and aragonite are made up of calcium carbonate.

Your cycling tank is also overstocked; please re-think cycling with fish.

[Pufferpunk]

please re-think cycling with fish.

OMG, how do I keep missing this!!???

[Iliveinazoo]

please re-think cycling with fish.

OMG, how do I keep missing this!!???

LOL, you probably assume/hope it doesn't happen anymore....

[Pufferpunk]

Nah--unfortunately I see it all the time. I'm on a lot of aquarium FB pages.

[Rossfett]

Pool filter sand is atractive, and shouldn't change your PH. I've gotten 25lbs for $10. I Suggest going to a pool supply store, in person, and confirming that it is an inert sand. All sands are not created equal. But it's a really great substrate that doesn't compact easily, fairly easy to clean with practice, and can be algae resistant if you get the kind.

[Iliveinazoo]

Pool filter sand is atractive, and shouldn't change your PH. I've gotten 25lbs for $10. I Suggest going to a pool supply store, in person, and confirming that it is an inert sand. All sands are not created equal. But it's a really great substrate that doesn't compact easily, fairly easy to clean with practice, and can be algae resistant if you get the kind.

How can an inert sand be algae resistant?

[eieio]

I'd be a lot more concerned about your ammonia and overstocking (which is likely the reason for it)
what kind of puffer do you have in mind for your 45L (11.88 gallon) tank