High Ph Levels In New Fishless Tank

I have the API test kit with PH testing and High Range PH testing. With regular PH testing my levels are off the chart (literally) when comparing to the little chart that came with the test kit. I'm guessing around 8 to 8.5, appx. BUT when testing for High Range PH it tests right st 7.4 (which is lowest on the scale for the chart to follow by). I used Tetra EasyBalance yesterday, left it alone and this morning is when I tested and got these results. Any insight?

 

I'm having similar issues, the water in my tap is about ph 8 so I've been told bog wood and plants should help bring it down a little

 

The colors on the test kit can be really hard to tell. I have the same issue reading mine, pH max is 7.6 and very blue and high pH low is 7.4. The reality is you are somewhere between the two #'s. I found after months of agonizing about it (even went and bought apI test strips) that the most accurate reading I got was from my pool water testing kit. My pH was 7.5. The most important thing about your pH is that it is steady, pH swings of greater than 0.5 are very dangerous to fish. Most fish are tank raised now and the pH #'s mostly relate to wild caught fish. Usually the fish will acclimate to your pH because they have been raised in conditions much like yours. Trying to change pH with chemicals can cause swings, would not worry about trying to change it for most fish.

Google pH pens if you want a better way than check it, I want one but just haven't ordered it yet.

niklev... Your pH should be fine also, only a few species require a certain pH, as I said before most will adjust to your tank conditions. I was breeding platys and cory's in water like yours, my problems started when trying to lower it. I have been using ro water mixed with my tap for 6 momths and still don't have the mix dialed in. I had very little luck with driftwood or peat in my filter.

 

niklev... Your pH should be fine also, only a few species require a certain pH, as I said before most will adjust to your tank conditions. I was breeding platys and cory's in water like yours, my problems started when trying to lower it. I have been using ro water mixed with my tap for 6 momths and still don't have the mix dialed in. I had very little luck with driftwood or peat in my filter.

Sorry, experiencing some technical difficulties, lol. I didn't mean to send out a blank quote.
Thanks for both of the responses, you two! Do you think it will be okay if I add a Betta to these approximate PH levels?

 

I'm no expert, but I would continue to test that water looking at ammonia, nitrite and nitrate looking for spikes in ammonia. This way you know the tank has cycled.

 

How long ago did you complete your cycle?
If tank is cycled and stable then yes get your fish, but be sure and acclimate your new fish properly.

 

That pH will be fine for a betta. As said, stable pH is much more vital than perfect pH as swings can be deadly. In general the concensus is to go by the highest pH reading if you are using the API test kit. There's no need to alter your pH unless you are under 6 or over 9 and it's still better to use other methods rather than chemicals to manage it even then.

 

Hi! Where I live, our tap water is very alkaline so the pH is around 8 or higher. I keep guppies in it with no problems! The general consensus seems to be that keeping a stable pH is more important than anything else. I've heard that messing with the pH is a very slippery slope, so be careful!