Strange Ph Readings.

[Smells a bit fishy]

Hi all, quick query on ph levels.

I just tested both my tanks for their ph levels.

My bigger tank came out

Ph low +7.6
ph high 8.0

My smaller tank came out

Ph low 7.6
Ph high 7.4

Now is it normal to have 2 different readings?

My smaller tank gas been set up the longest and my big one I set up yesterday, using substrate and ornaments from another tank ( upgraded-replacement for my broken tank)

My smaller tank has a gravel substrate and 3 live plants and fully stocked.

My bigger tank has sand and bogwood in it, and 8-10 live plants in.

So the question is, is it normal to have 2 different ph levels. I will keep an eye on it for a few days, I will also fill up a glass and leave it 24 hours to see what my tap is coming out at.

Oh I forgot to say I filled up my new tank with my other tank water so only about 30% of the water was fresh yesterday. And I did a 15% water change on the other tank too.

Ideas would be greatly appreciated

 

[StandbySetting]

It's normal, Bogwood has an affect on PH, the tannins released create humic acid which lowers the PH.

 

[Smells a bit fishy]

Yeh that's what I thought. But the tank with the bogwood in is higher. Sorry maybe I wasnt clear enough. My bad

 

[StandbySetting]

In that case it could be numerous other things, such as calcium carbonate based substrates, rocks etc Injected CO2, many factors.

 

[Smells a bit fishy]

There are no rocks in there and the carbon pad has been in there a good month. I keep meaning to find some sponge or wool to replace it. Is it the carbon media that could be raising the ph?

Oh, I don't use CO2 I'm going for a low tech tank

 

[StandbySetting]

Carbon wont affect the PH, concentrations of nitrate can affect the PH too, it is acidic, there are hundreds of factors but if your tank PH is higher or lower than your tap PH after 24 hours of standing then something is adjusting it.

 

[Smells a bit fishy]

Ok. I will test the water tomorrow. And see which tank is correct, if either. Both tanks are reading 40ppm of nitrates, tap water is 20-30 ppm.

 

[Smells a bit fishy]

Ok. So tested the water and retested both my tanks.

They all read exactly the same. Now I can't tell whether it's 7.4 or 8.0. Both colours are exactly the same. However my ph low shows up quite a deep blue in comparison to the chart. The chart goes up to 7.6.

Does that mean my water is actually 8.0? If so how can I lower this?

As I currently have killifish, platies, shrimp, an angelfish, Mollies and gourami living in this water.

However I'm looking to stock dwarf rams and yellow rainbow fish in this water too.

Is the PH too high?

 

[Smells a bit fishy]

Is there any ideas on how to lower the ph? Or is just better to leave it, and would I still be able to keep the fish I want?