PH differences

[Jen]

I just got my water tested at my lfs, and they told me that my ph was 6.9. So figureing my teste kit was off, i bought a new one. Just to make sure, I test the water when I get home. Now its saying low 6's. Like 6.1 or .2.

Why would there be such a difference? Could the water being out of the tank for 15 minutes make that big of a difference?

 

[WILDER]

That's the problem with different test kits they all vary, is it the same brand.

 

[LoachLover]

Different tests vary. PH level isn't the most important thing to watch out for in your tank though anyway.

 

[Jen]

Exact same tests.

Having the lower ph is better for my co2 levels. Maybe I should just stop worrying. lol. My fish are alive. lol

 

[LoachLover]

Yeah it's not like a huge difference, they should be ok.

 

[WILDER]

We all worry, i wouldn't worry about it to much if fish are healthy anf fit nothing to worry about.

 

[LoachLover]

Well a lot of people give the impression if your PH is off just a LITTLE bit then all your fish are going to die a slow and painful death. Which isn't true

 

[annka5]

I THINK that each move of 1 degree on the PH scale represents something like a 100x difference - so a move from 6 to 7 is actually a massive difference.
Pls correct me if my long-time-ago school chemistry is letting me down here...?
hence people do worry about apparantly small PH differences.

However, to my mind, if your fish are behaving as normal and perfectly healthy, you don't need to stress - probly just the test kit or some contaminant in the jar you took to the store or whatever.

 

[Ed4567]

pH = -log10[H+]
So one point difference is equivilant to factor of 10 change in H+ concentration