Equalising Ph?

[CezzaXV]

Hello all,

I have an issue with my tank, or rather, my water.

I'm coming to the end of my cycle and looking forward to that happy day when I can get fish. However, I have concerns about the pH of my water. After standing for 24 hours, my tap water has a pH of 6.4, but the water in my tank is generally around 7.6-7.8 with 0 ammonia, and skyrockets off even the high range pH test whenever I redose with ammonia.

I asked on these forums, and after ruling out decor and the like, the conclusion seemed to be that I have such soft water that the ammonia reacts with it and causes the pH to rise. Obviously not a problem right now while I'm cycling, but I'm concerned about what'll happen in the future when I have a constant source of ammonia when I add fish, and also how I manage with water changes as there seems to be a 1.4 pH difference between tap and tank.

Advice?

 

[Aqua Tom]

My tapwater comes out a 6.8ish pH, then rises to 8 ovenight. I still do 50% water changes straight from the tap with no ill effects. But the one difference is my tapwater is very - very hard.

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

If you have not already got them, invest in a gH and kH liquid test kit or ask your LFS to test these for you, you will then know how soft/hard your water is.