API Freshwater test kit ph and high range pH question??

Hi,
I have a new 20 gallon tank that I have been cycling to add two fish that I have in a ten gallon tank. I have now gotten the Ammonia and Nitrite down to 0 ppm and I was about to add one of the fish when I realized I hadn't checked the pH. Anyways I checked the 10 gallon tank that the Pink Kissing Gourami ( I know the tank is way too small for him!) and Platy are in and the I guess 'regular' pH shows to be about 7.6 then I tested the High Range ( what is the High Range pH?) and it came up as about 8.4-8.8!! That seems way to high yet the fish seem fine, I haven't noticed any problems with the tank so I don't know what to do. I tested the new 20 gal. using the same API test kit and it has the same regular pH as the 10 - 7.6, but the High Range pH is about 8.0-8.2. Is it safe to add the fish to the new tank? What is the High Range pH? Will the sudden change be too much for them? Also is this test kit accurate because it seems like a lot of the time my readings do not exactly match one of the colors they are usually between two. Now that I have tested the High Range pH in the 10 gal I'm worried something will happen to them even though they have been living in their this whole time. Any help is appreciated!

 

Welcome to FishLore!

The reason you tested "7.6" on the normal-range pH kit is that you maxed out the test - it won't read any higher than that, and since your pH is higher, that's the result you got. High pH is not a problem (my pH was 8.2 for awhile) but be sure you acclimate VERY slowly so that the fish have time to adjust to the higher pH.

 

Thanks! What would be the best way to acclimate them?

 

Thanks! What would be the best way to acclimate them?

I use the drip method to acclimate my fish.

 

Okay thanks, do you think it would work the same if I didn't use the tubing and just slowly added little bits of the new water with a cup? I'm just worried that something might go wrong with the tubing

 

That's what I do. I float the bag in the tank until the temperature has equalized, then I add a small amount of water every 15-30 minutes (maybe 25mLs or so).

 

Okay thanks, do you think it would work the same if I didn't use the tubing and just slowly added little bits of the new water with a cup? I'm just worried that something might go wrong with the tubing

Of course. I would float the bag in the Aquarium for 15-20 minutes. Then I would add 1/4 cup depending on the size of the bag, every 15 minutes for about 2 hours (my advice is long, but my motto is better safe than sorry). If the bag fills up with water before the two hours, I would scoop some of the water out of the bad and dispose it in the sink. Once it's done, I would net out the fish and release it in your tank. You don't want to introduce the water in the bag into your aquarium.

 

I'm a little confused, so you first put the fish in the bag and float it in the tank, then you add the fish to the bucket and begin adding bits of the new water?

Of course. I would float the bag in the Aquarium for 15-20 minutes. Then I would add 1/4 cup depending on the size of the bag, every 15 minutes for about 2 hours (my advice is long, but my motto is better safe than sorry). If the bag fills up with water before the two hours, I would scoop some of the water out of the bad and dispose it in the sink. Once it's done, I would net out the fish and release it in your tank. You don't want to introduce the water in the bag into your aquarium.

Okay thanks! I will try this with the platy first since he is a lot smaller it'll probably be easier.

 

I'm a little confused, so you first put the fish in the bag and float it in the tank, then you add the fish to the bucket and begin adding bits of the new water?

Lol...sorry for the confusion.

No, if you get fish from the store, just directly place the bag into the aquarium and float for 15 minutes. Open the bag and proceed the acclimation process that I posted above. I usually roll up the bag so it can float in the aquarium.

When I do drip method, I usually have a bucket next to my tank.

 

Lol...sorry for the confusion.

No, if you get fish from the store, just directly place the bag into the aquarium and float for 15 minutes. Open the bag and proceed the acclimation process that I posted above. I usually roll up the bag so it can float in the aquarium.

When I do drip method, I usually have a bucket next to my tank.

okay I already have the fish it was just in a different tank, right now I have it in a bag floating in the new tank. So after 15 minutes I should put it in a bucket and proceed with adding the new tank water or do I just add the new tank water right into the bag while it is floating in the aquarium?

 

okay I already have the fish it was just in a different tank, right now I have it in a bag floating in the new tank. So after 15 minutes I should put it in a bucket and proceed with adding the new tank water or do I just add the new tank water right into the bag while it is floating in the aquarium?

You can add the water in the bag

 

You can add the water in the bag

Okay thanks for all your help!