I use an official ph up and down but you don't need to do that. I have even read that ph up is never supposed to be added. Just add in some lemon juice a little at a time. Real acids are strong stuff so it doesn't take but a few drops at a time to get it sorted out. I use about a 1/4 cap of ph lower for 5 gallons and it drops about 1 full point. I do not know how strong the ph lower products are though. I would suggest a half of teaspoon of lemon juice and then retest after the water has cycled and mixed. Nothing wrong with lemon juice.