Confused on ph

[karna68]

Okay I tested my ph for the first time. I know, I was too worried about ammonia, nitrites and nitrates though! Which are still good by the way :dance2: Anyway, for ph I get a reading of about 7.2-7.6 on the low range and 7.8-8 on the high range, so which is it? I get the same reading from the tank and tap.

 

[webcricket]

It sounds like you might be using test strips. Those aren't going to be very accurate. I'd try getting a liquid test kit if you want to know for sure - it will differentiate with color between 7.2, 7.4, 7.6, etc.

That said, anything in the range you posted is going to be fine for a typical freshwater community tank.

 

[jm1212]

first of all, test strips or not, if you are getting reading on the max end of the low range and the beginning of the high range, chances are your pH is high.

i would still go out and get a liquid test kit, unless you already have one.

 

[sarcare]

I have the same problem with the liquid tests--where it is at the high end of the low ph and the low end of the high ph, so it isn't clear where exactly it is. Basically it isn't important to know the number, just the general range of where it is and if it changes.

This is very typical columbus water, and for a lot of big cities. Hard water is just something we have to deal with here.

 

[karna68]

It's a liquid test and you're right sarcare, the one time I had my water tested at Petland the guy told me everyone's ph was high.

Okay so as long as it's stable then!

 

[Star_Rider]

us the water being tested after it has had time to /settle in'

around here you have to wait a day or two to get a true reading. it shows 7.4 from tap three days later it settles in to a steady 7.2