I read an interesting article regarding pH and ammonia. The author stated the pH will be higher in a tank which has ammonia. In order to get an accurate reading of the pH in tap water, one should put some water in a bucket with aeration. The water should be tested after 24 hours and then again after 48 hours. The reading after 48 hours is the accurate pH level. Yesterday I added more ammonia to my tank as it is still cycling---ammonia and nitrites are obviously still present. After the cycle is complete and no ammonia is present the pH should definitely drop and the water will give an accurate reading. The author also explained that the best way to do a water change is to aerate the new water for 2 days prior to the change. By doing this the pH and KH should remain stable. In addition to testing the pH a person should also test the KH (the higher the alkalinity, the lower the KH) and see if the two balance out into a desirable range.
One major point the author discussed was the danger of pH swings. He said that if the pH is a bit higher than the desirable range, most fish will adapt with very few problems. This is not true of all fish, say discus for example, but for most fish. He said it is much better to keep the pH stable versus constantly working to bring it up or bring it down. The continual fluctuations are what stress and often kill fish. Now, if you have an accurate reading of your pH and it is too low, you can do something like adding baked, baking soda which will raise the pH. If the pH is too high you can add peat moss, driftwood etc. to drop the pH.
I am going to do what this author suggested and put some tap water in a bucket and aerate it for two days. I am then going to compare the reading in both the tank and the bucket and note the differences. I am hoping that my pH is lower and in the desired range for the fish I want to keep.
but I feel I really need to understand this. Side note: my 16 yr. old son is going into Chem. 3 and Calc. 3 this year and loves it. UGH I've laughingly told him he has a warped mind! 
