I just got the API master test kit and it's showing my tank pH to be around 7.2. My tap water tests at around 7.0. So I'm just wondering what could be raising my pH. I was expecting it to be below 7 and it's actually a little above. I'm not concerned about it, just curious. I have a couple of Malayasian driftwood pieces in the tank and I thought they should be lowering the pH. I don't believe I have any rocks that could be leaching substances which would raise the pH.
The tank is a bit understocked for fish and is planted. The nitrate is a bit low (5 ppm). Ammonia and nitrite are both zero.
Just as an FYI, up until today I've been using some test strips and they've been showing my pH to be around 6.4. So I was a bit surprised to see the pH above 7 today. I can accept the fact that the strips are not accurate and my pH was never as low as 6.4. I did retest using the strips today and it shows 6.4.
The above discussion is for my 65g tank. My 20g tank has 7.8 pH but it doesn't have any driftwood in it.
So is it normal for the tank pH to go a little above tap water pH? If not, what might be raising it?
The tank is a bit understocked for fish and is planted. The nitrate is a bit low (5 ppm). Ammonia and nitrite are both zero.
Just as an FYI, up until today I've been using some test strips and they've been showing my pH to be around 6.4. So I was a bit surprised to see the pH above 7 today. I can accept the fact that the strips are not accurate and my pH was never as low as 6.4. I did retest using the strips today and it shows 6.4.
The above discussion is for my 65g tank. My 20g tank has 7.8 pH but it doesn't have any driftwood in it.
So is it normal for the tank pH to go a little above tap water pH? If not, what might be raising it?
