Testing PH.

Hi! I usualy buy the API test kits all seperately and used to buy just the normal Freshwater PH tester kit, but yesterday I realised it would just be cheaper to buy the master test kit. I bought one and went ahead to test my tanks, but was wondering, what is the High Range PH test for?

I tested both my tanks with the normal PH test and my 15gall came out as 6.8 and my 7.5gall as 7.6. I tried the High Range PH test on some water from the 7.5gall and it came out as 8.2. ??? ???

Does this seam right? Why are they so different. The 7.5gall has always been higher. Is this ok?

Thanks

Gwenz

 

The difference between the 2 pH tests is that each of them is only capable of testing within a certain range of pH values. The regular test is only accurate for pH values between 6.0 and 7.6. If your pH is any higher than that, the regular test will just default to 7.6, which is the highest value it can read. That is where the high range test comes in. It can't read low pH values, but will give you accurate readings between 7.4 and 8.8.

If you tested your water with the regular test and got 7.6, then tested with high range and got 8.2, the 8.2 reading is the correct one. Fluctuating pH can stress fish, so as long as your pH is consistent it is ok. Fish adapt to pH pretty well, so unless you have really picky fish (discus) or are trying to breed you are better off not trying to change it artificially.

I am not sure why your 2 tanks have such different pH values. Perhaps you have something in one of them that is altering the pH? For example, driftwood I believe can lower pH, and other things can raise it.

Sean

 

Ok thanks Sean. I don't have difftwood in either of the tanks, but maybe its something else. The water always seems to be at these levels (although I have never used the high range PH test before it has always come out as 7.6 on the lower one so it has probably always been the same. I will keep testing to make sure the water isn't fluctuating.

Thanks again.

Gwenz

 

High range like sean said high pH and some cichlids like high pH. Rock can raise pH along with types of gravel and other things. What do you have different in one tank than the other? As long as the fish are fine then you don't have to worry.

 

I have a blue rock in my 15gal. don't know what it is. Has always been in there though. I have some rocks in my 7.5gall as well. The fish seem fine though, so I'm not worrying to much!.

Gwenz