Water pH/hardness change help?

[Vivid-Dawn]

My pH is at 7.6 and I can’t seem to get it to go down (at least, I think it’s “down” to get to 7.0 ..if not, maybe that is my trouble). One week, I tried a dropper solution of PH Downer, and put in three doses (24 hours apart), and it didn’t do anything. So then I bought fizzy tablets, which I just tried...but I’m assuming they do about the same thing as the liquid drop dosage.
If it doesn’t go down with tablets, I’m gonna be so fusterpated!

I’ve heard that water softness/hardness coincides with pH levels. Our water is extremely hard...we get calcium/lime/whatever deposits along the tub and faucets after just a couple weeks from cleaning them. My dad’s budget is too tight to purchase and maintain a water softener for the house. Is there a way I can soften water a few gallons at a time, myself? Maybe that will help.
I don’t have the level of hardness it is, as I haven’t bought a test kit for that (if there is one?).

This is what I already do to my water. Put it in plastic milk jugs (gallon ones), and let it air out between 24 - 72 hours. Then I put in Amquel Plus and Novaqua water treaters/conditioners and salt, and stir it all around to make sure everything dilutes properly. Then I let it sit for about 10-20 minutes, and then dump it in. My room is 68 degrees, and I really can’t put a heater in every single jug to bring it up 10 more degrees my tank is at...but I figure if I pour the water in the corner by the heater of the tank relatively slowly, it shouldn’t be bad... or should I invest in a little tank, and do my water treating in it with heat?

[Damon]

This is why I need to sticky!
Check out this link about PH GH and KH. A must read for altering water chemistry.
http://www.drhelm.com/aquarium/chemistry.html

[aquariumfishguy]

It is never a good idea to mess with your natural tap water's pH. Read that link, as suggested - it will save you loads of work later.