Ph Water Reading,i'm Confused

[m d cooper]

i am confused about my ph reading,water from the tap has a ph reading of 7.2 but when i read it in the tank its ph8,i have tested the reading with gravel in tap water that is 7.2 and i have removed the ornaments 1 at a time and tested them in water and the readings are 7.2 as well.the only thing i can think of is over feeding would that raise the ph level?although the amonia nitrite levels are 0 and the nitrate level is 20ppm the same as it comes out of the tap.
any help would be appreciated thanks m d cooper

i forgot 2 mention the water is filtered over noodels

 

[CezzaXV]

If anything, tank water should be lower in pH, as the nitrogen cycle puts acidic things into the water.

What kind of gravel are you using? There are some types of gravel which will raise the pH of the water (which is desirable for some kinds of fish but not a general community setup), but you might need to give it time to notice a rise in pH, as just chucking some in a bucket with some water and testing the pH immediately might not be enough to measure a difference.

What media are you using in your filter? Are you adding anything to your tank other than dechlorinator? Fertilisers or anything else?

 

[m d cooper]

If anything, tank water should be lower in pH, as the nitrogen cycle puts acidic things into the water.

What kind of gravel are you using? There are some types of gravel which will raise the pH of the water (which is desirable for some kinds of fish but not a general community setup), but you might need to give it time to notice a rise in pH, as just chucking some in a bucket with some water and testing the pH immediately might not be enough to measure a difference.

What media are you using in your filter? Are you adding anything to your tank other than dechlorinator? Fertilisers or anything else?

no i am not adding anything just stress zyme and stress coat

no i only add stress zyme and stress coat

 

[CezzaXV]

What kind of gravel do you have?

 

[DevotedToDiscus]

It's because the as the water comes from the tap it contains dissolved Co2. The Co2 lowers the reading, and after a few hours the water releases the gas and the reading goes up. If you put some tap water in a glass and leave it 24 hours then test it, you will get the true readings of your tap water.

 

[Steve H.]

DTD helped me here just recently with the same question...100%.

I conducted an experiment with a quart of water and an air stone. Tested out of the tap at
7.4 pH, but after 4 hours with the air stone all the co2 was driven off and water tested 8.4 pH.
A full point!

 

[m d cooper]

if thats the case that the ph rises what is the best solution to lower it to say 7.5,i did try ph 7.2 waterlife but it just keeps rebounding to 8 after lowering to 7.8

 

[Steve H.]

if thats the case that the ph rises what is the best solution to lower it to say 7.5

I'm not 100% sure just yet, as I am in a similar situation as you I am guessing.

I am starting to experiment with wood and peat to try and naturally lower my pH.
I have experienced a lowering of my pH from 8.4 to a 7.6. Not quite a point.

This may be a good enough result for what you are looking for, but I am aiming for a 6.8 to 7.2 range. So, I still have some more work to do.

I have also been advised you can inject co2 to help lower the pH. Which I will probably try next if I can't get it lower with just wood and peat.

I am hoping for the cheaper more hassle free avenue to pan out.

 

[Steve H.]

if thats the case that the ph rises what is the best solution to lower it to say 7.5,i did try ph 7.2 waterlife but it just keeps rebounding to 8 after lowering to 7.8

You will be told....which is the truth, that a stable pH is more important than the actual number.
You don't want it swinging by using a chemical product.

Most fish from your lfs will thrive at a higher pH as long as its stable.

The only reason I am investigating lowering my pH is for a future tank where I would like to keep Discus and other sa cichlids.

My current stock is thriving at 8.4 pH.

 

[DevotedToDiscus]

if thats the case that the ph rises what is the best solution to lower it to say 7.5,i did try ph 7.2 waterlife but it just keeps rebounding to 8 after lowering to 7.8

You will be told....which is the truth, that a stable pH is more important than the actual number.
You don't want it swinging by using a chemical product.

Most fish from your lfs will thrive at a higher pH as long as its stable.

The only reason I am investigating lowering my pH is for a future tank where I would like to keep Discus and other sa cichlids.

My current stock is thriving at 8.4 pH.

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