First Test Results?

[Neil Peter]

Hey, been cycling my tank for a few days and added about 7ml of ammonia yesterday to a 125ltr tank

The ammonia is reading about 4ppm which is fine

But what does the PH mean?

I mean I know what PH is but cant read my results -

OK, I thought I would take a reading from the water source and it is 6.6/6.8

But the tank water sample went a darker blue than the API blue on th chart 7.6 chart so I used the high range test but it was more of a red-purple than purple? 8.8

Obviously the tank has changed the PH but should I be worried as its early days?

I have bogwood (which was new) and new plants...bio media and carbon and obviuosly condition the water - oh! could it be the sand?


Any help

Neil

 

[Prime Ordeal]

The usual suspect in these cases is the substrate as you suspect. Put a good handful in some tap water in a small container and let it sit for 24 hours, then test the pH. And you don''t need carbon while cycling without fish, replace it with normal media (sponge, noodles etc.)

The ideal pH while cycling is 8.2 so, at least during the cycling period, it'll probably be best to leave it as is even if it is the substrate.

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

Ammonia is alkaline, I expect that is what has raised your tank pH compared to tap water

 

[Prime Ordeal]

Ammonia is alkaline, I expect that is what has raised your tank pH compared to tap water

Ammonia (ammonium hydroxide) is only very slightly basic so it won't be that.

 

[Neil Peter]

The usual suspect in these cases is the substrate as you suspect. Put a good handful in some tap water in a small container and let it sit for 24 hours, then test the pH. And you don''t need carbon while cycling without fish, replace it with normal media (sponge, noodles etc.)

The ideal pH while cycling is 8.2 so, at least during the cycling period, it'll probably be best to leave it as is even if it is the substrate.

tanks prime'o!! i assume when i am cycled and i do the big water change the ph will come down - was just worried that the colours i got were not on the charts

neil

 

[Prime Ordeal]

You'll have problems when the cycle is finished if it is the substrate and you keep it in the tank due to the large difference between tap pH and tank pH. That and the fact that a pH of 9+ is not really suitable for any fish we commonly keep. So you'll probably have to get new (inert) substrate (assuming that is in fact the culprit) when the cycle finishes.

The pH will then settle closer to the pH of your tap water (after it has been left sitting for 24 hours).