Ph Tests-Should I Try High Range Test

[ChkThsOut]

Hello all,my question is......When testing my water parameters i use the normal pH test,but my results do not look right to me.it is not as yellow as i would think for a reading of 6.0,should i try the high range pH?The pH directly from tap is 6.6.The tank im refering to is a 37gal.,currently about 7 weeks into a fishless cycle,going along great.Thinking about a week before i can stock it.Its processing ammonia about 5ppm per 12 hours,and nitrite at 0,nitrate at 80ppm.Sorry if my first post is not in proper format,i will learn fast i promise.Thanks for all your help,with this and all ive learned from here already.

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

if you have a low pH (around 6.0) then the high range won't be of any help to you. That does seem quite low, but I guess there are areas with really soft water!

 

[ChkThsOut]

Thanks for reply,i've read somewhere that you can use Bakeing Soda to raise pH.Is there any truth to that? And how much do i add to a 37 gal tank with a current pH of 6,to raise it to say like 7.2.Thats about mid range to the fish i will be keeping i think.

 

[fluttermoth]

Don't mess around with your pH. It can lead to pH swings which are much worse for fish than being in the 'wrong' pH.

It might have been something to think about at the beginning of your cycle, as it can help cycles go faster, but there's no point doing it now.

The only problem you might have is if your water is soft as well as acidic; that can lead to the pH dropping to very low levels, so you might want to 'buffer' the water (ie; make it harder) a bit so it's more stable. A few shells or a handful of coral gravel in your filter should be enough.

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Trying to change your pH is generally a bad idea. the baking soda method is only temporary and I would only recommend it for trying to increase pH for fishless cycling.

There are some really nice fish out there that like a low pH, I took this list from MA's website:

- Most South American cichlids e.g. Microgeophagus Ramirezi (Rams), Discus, Angelfish, Apistogramma sp.
- Most loaches ('Botia' sp.) e.g. Clown Loach, Botia dario, Botia striata, Botia almorhae, Botia histrionica, Botia kubotai, Yasuhikotakia sidthimunki etc
- Small South American Tetras e.g. Rummynose Tetra, Cardinal Tetra, Emperor Tetra etc.
- Most Corydoras sp. catfish.
- Most of the beautiful L-number pleco’s (Loricariidae) e.g. Golden Nugget, Queen Arabesque, King Tiger etc.
- Killifish.


What kind of test kit are you using and how old is it? Maybe it's inaccurate? You could call your water board and ask them what pH the local water tends to be. You could also, for the fun of it, try the high pH test, but if your pH really is that low it'll give you a wonky result lol

 

[ChkThsOut]

I am useing the API master test kit,i bought it new when i got my new tank.My local water has a pH of 6.6 out of the tap....."You could also, for the fun of it, try the high pH test, but if your pH really is that low it'll give you a wonky result"..... Does that mean it will not show a recognizeable color on high range pH test?I'm very new to hobby,may have a few ignorant questions.As far as the shells in filter go,where would the best place to find these be?I live in a very small town and do not have a LFS,all i have accsess to is a big chain store,and its an hour away.Thank you all for your help.

 

[fluttermoth]

Unless your normal pH test is at the very top of the scale, there's no point in trying the high range one. It'll probably just show up as the lowest on that scale.

You should be able to buy coral gravel or seashells cheaply online (make sure they're not varnished!).