If your pH is 7.6 and you use API pH test, READ THIS

If you're using API (Aquarium Pharmaceuticals) normal pH test, and it reads 7.6 (dark blue) on the color chart, it can mean 2 things: (1) that your pH is simply 7.6, or (2) that your pH is higher than 7.6. API's normal pH test is designed to measure pH up to 7.6 only, so if your pH is higher than 7.6, it will still show as 7.6 on your color chart, as this is the highest value on that color chart.

To double check if you pH is indeed at 7.6, or if it is higher than that, get API's high range pH test. It measures pH up to 8.8. This way you'll know for sure what your pH is. Many people mistakenly think their pH is 7.6 while in reality it is much higher.

API's normal pH test measures pH from 6.0 to 7.6, and its high range pH test measures pH from 7.4 to 8.8.

 

The older kits have high range pH test kit in it, do the new one's not also do this too?

 

I was referring to the normal pH test alone, not to the Master Test Kit. API's Master Test Kit has both normal and high range pH tests. There are people who don't use Master Test Kits, but particular API tests separately. If they have pH of 7.6, they should measure their high range pH too.

 

Ok I was a little confused there for a moment.

 

Sorry for that

 

A little bit of a late response, but I think I should probably add that this applies to most people's tap water. Tap water (in many areas of the US, anyway) tends to have a fairly high pH.

 

With my Master Test Kit I get these readings here. The normal test kit 7.6 and then when I do the High range Test I get 7.4.. How can this be? I take it as a 7.5,LOL..

 

What type of test kit are you using ewolfe?

 

The normal test kit 7.6 and then when I do the High range Test I get 7.4.. How can this be?

The same thing happens when I test! I"m using the API Freshwater master test kit as well.

 

I tested with my High Range before, but I did it again this morning. I wasn't sure whether it was 7.8, but it seemed to be leaning towards that. It was 7.6 before - maybe I need to get rid of some snail shells! Thanks for the heads up, Isabella

 

What type of test kit are you using ewolfe?

The API master test kit as mentioned above. I can't figure out how this could happen. And I make sure every time I use the bottles I bang the heck out of them and shake em til my arms sore.

As a matter of fact it's been like 3 times that I have used the High PH test just to see the readings. Every Master Kit I buy I always have full bottles of the high PH left over as I never seemed to need it.

 

As a matter of fact it's been like 3 times that I have used the High PH test just to see the readings. Every Master Kit I buy I always have full bottles of the high PH left over as I never seemed to need it.

We should setup a pH test exchange here -- all of us who mostly do high pH tests can swap the low pH bottles for the high pH bottles from those who only use the low ones.

 

We should setup a pH test exchange here -- all of us who mostly do high pH tests can swap the low pH bottles for the high pH bottles from those who only use the low ones.

Joe I totally agree. Why the heck would I want these High Range Ph bottles just sitting around as I only use the low range PH. Super Idea

John

R.I.P. Buddy and Rebel

 

Alas, I use both. Low for Fresh, High for Salt. Sorry no extras here lol. It is a very interesting thing to point out. Even more interesting that the high range would give a lower result than the max low range test. I tested my Marine with the low range once. Had me freaked for a minute. "What the heck happened to my PH...... Oh I'm just a little slow" lol

 

It's probably a case of the solutions being less accurate at the extremes of their range. I usually split the difference -- if the low kit says 7.6, and the high says 7.4, I note 7.5 in my log and be done with it.

 

Great thread... I use API, with the low pH, I get the 7.6 blue. It isn't darker blue, just that nice pretty blue. When I use the High pH, I get a light purple. Not the dingy orange/brown and not the 8.4 purple. So,,, what is my pH? This doesn't happen a lot, but it is hard to know what is going on. My normal is the High range test 8.0. It is time for wc that's why I'm testing pH etc... Thanks for any ideas... oh I'm on well water with water softener unit and the pH is always 7.8 with the High range test.

 

I have one of the newer sets and yes it does have the high range ph.. my mils ph was at 7.6 and I ended up checking and found out hers was at 7.8... I naturally check mine w/ the high range to save time in my cichlid tanks... my ph stays at 8.0

 

what if your Ph is over 7.6, how can I lower it if I don't have the pharmaceuticals?

 

I also get 7.6 with the low range and 7.4 with the high range, nice to know I'm not the only one. Makes me wonder which one to use. Seems like my other tank that has live plants has a pH of 7.8. Do plants change the pH of the water?

 

I also get 7.6 with the low range and 7.4 with the high range, nice to know I'm not the only one. Makes me wonder which one to use. Seems like my other tank that has live plants has a pH of 7.8. Do plants change the pH of the water?

I get the same result as well with the API kit.

Funny thing is that I have a Mardel live pH in the tank and it reads what looks like 7.0.

As a newbie this is all very confusing. I've been considering switching to the 5-in-1 or 6-in-1 strips but I don't know how good those are either. Last thing I need is a third test that comes out different.

 

This was a good read for me.

 

yeah, me too. thanks for bumping it. I just today got that 7.6/7.4 test people kept talking about. lol...

 

Yeah you master kit should have the high and low ph tests.

 

mine turns darker than the chart if its higher

 

If you're using API (Aquarium Pharmaceuticals) normal pH test, and it reads 7.6 (dark blue) on the color chart, it can mean 2 things: (1) that your pH is simply 7.6, or (2) that your pH is higher than 7.6. API's normal pH test is designed to measure pH up to 7.6 only, so if your pH is higher than 7.6, it will still show as 7.6 on your color chart, as this is the highest value on that color chart.

To double check if you pH is indeed at 7.6, or if it is higher than that, get API's high range pH test. It measures pH up to 8.8. This way you'll know for sure what your pH is. Many people mistakenly think their pH is 7.6 while in reality it is much higher.

API's normal pH test measures pH from 6.0 to 7.6, and its high range pH test measures pH from 7.4 to 8.8.

Thank you! You answered my question! I did both with my new kit I got today (first master kit been using strips) I have 7.4 readings for high Ph in all 3 of my tanks

 

MzMolly's question has been moved here:

 

you can get a neutral regulator,,one level teaspoon once or twice a month will keep your ph at 7.0 there are some for higher and lower ph.that will take out all the gess work I would put a bet down with anyone ,that any given time my ph is on lock down.Its made by seachem,,

 

you can get a neutral regulator,,one level teaspoon once or twice a month will keep your ph at 7.0 there are some for higher and lower ph.that will take out all the gess work I would put a bet down with anyone ,that any given time my ph is on lock down.Its made by seachem,,

This is not the place for this discussion.

Please check dates before posting.

The OP was posting this as an FYI for anyone having issues using the API master kit.