High PH in new tank, due to sand?

[bearskookum]

I just set up a new tank last night and today checked the PH it was 8.2! Most of my tanks are all 7.0 PH.
The only thing different is that I am using Quickrete's Pool Filter Sand...is this whats making my PH high? Or is it because its a new tank? I have two feeder guppies in there now making rounds...

 

[Mgamer20o0]

never had problems sand. i would also check your tap water. what kind of test kit are you using?

 

[bearskookum]

Test kit

API freshwater master test kit is the one I am using...at first I used their regular PH test...then I noticed it so high so I went on to do the high range pH and it was 8.2...my other tanks all are 7.0...will wait a few days and see if any changes...if not it must be the new tank and sand...by the way are high ph good for shrimp? what other fishes like high ph?

 

[Rbishop]

What is the pH on your tap water?

 

[bearskookum]

Good question

I just checked and my tap water pH is 8.8. I just tested the new tank again and it went down to 7.6...my other tank is 7.2...so hopefully it will drop a little more...

 

[Mgamer20o0]

did you let the water sit out before testing it? my guess its once the water gas out it will drop to the other ones.

 

[bearskookum]

Gas out

Hey Mgamer20o0 thanks for writing back...can you elaborate more on this:
"water gas out"
Does letting the water sit a while changes the pH? How long?

 

[jm1212]

do you add any chemicals to your other tanks or have any driftwood in them?

 

[bearskookum]

Wood

just one two small pieces of driftwood in the 5 gal...which now I moved one over to the new tank to help it cycle faster...the drift wood is only like 8inches long by 1.5inches thick...basically a piece of branch like shape...
Does driftwood buffer the water? makes it more acidic? like the tannins?

 

[garbon2535]

The sand could be raising the PH in your tank.

You said that you have other tanks with normal PH? What is the PH of your water before you put it in the tank? Do you add anything to the water? What type of fish are in this tank? Some fish benifit from higher PH levels. You might not have anything to worry about.