Plants Affecting Ph?

[helen1207]

Hi, Im still pretty new on here so forgive me if i`m asking a stupid question..lol Can adding live plants alter the PH of my aquarium?
I`ve recently re set up my 25 litre Aqua mode 300 after a disasteras start! Everything was looking great,and the PH has been on 7.2 for about 2 weeks now...then 3 days ago i took out the plastic plants and planted 4 cabomba (i think)these look great and the 4 plattys in there seam to love swimming through them but last night i checked the PH and it was deffinately not 7.2.
The test kit i have is the API master test kit.It has a PH testing bottle and a PH HIGH testing bottle.I usually just use the PH one and the colour is green 7.2 but it now goes to a yellow which looks more like 6.0!!! I did a water change last night and this morning the PH is still on the yellow colour?
Can anyone shed any light on this?? Any replys much appreciated..Cheers Helen

 

[Dave Spencer]

The test kit i have is the API master test kit.It has a PH testing bottle and a PH HIGH testing bottle.I usually just use the PH one and the colour is green 7.2 but it now goes to a yellow which looks more like 6.0!!! I did a water change last night and this morning the PH is still on the yellow colour?
Can anyone shed any light on this?? Any replys much appreciated..Cheers Helen

Yes. Hobby test kits are garbage. Stop testing and start enjoying your tank. There are a whole host of things affecting the pH in your tank, precious few of which will ever matter. My tanks change from around a pH of 6 up to 7 throughout a 24 hour period, or at least they did a year or three back when I borrowed a pH probe from work.

To reiterate, stop testing and start enjoying.

 

[helen1207]

Hi Dave, thanks for the reply..thats just what i wanted to hear!..lol Ive never really been into these test kits (had a large tank years ago & never tested for anything)The fish appear very happy, swiming and exploring the tank. I need to stop worrying! Cheers