About To Start Cycling, High Ph, Should I Lower It?

[mnemonik23]

Just checked my tap water everything is 0 except pH is >7.8 (of the chart). I did a high range pH and it's >8.8
Should I use any pH down stuff before I add ammonia?


Thanks!

 

[Tolak]

No. Generally, water with a higher pH value is also harder. Hardness stabilizes pH, you could add the chemicals, add enough it will come down. After a short period, usually a day or two it will rebound to or near to its original value.

Cycling tanks are famous for pH swings, I wouldn't bother with pH testing in a cycling tank. Testing for hardness will give you a better idea of pH stability, which is more important than a certain pH value.

 

[mnemonik23]

No. Generally, water with a higher pH value is also harder. Hardness stabilizes pH, you could add the chemicals, add enough it will come down. After a short period, usually a day or two it will rebound to or near to its original value.

Cycling tanks are famous for pH swings, I wouldn't bother with pH testing in a cycling tank. Testing for hardness will give you a better idea of pH stability, which is more important than a certain pH value.

"Testing for hardness will give you a better idea of pH stability" - what is testing for hardness?

 

[Corleone]

The API test kit doesn't include them, but API does make separate tests for hardness and alkalinity (GH and KH, respectively). GH is general hardness, and KH is a specific subset of hardness that acts as a buffer against pH changes.