AL008 Posted January 8, 2007 Report Share Posted January 8, 2007 Hi All, Can anyone give me an indication of what pH my tap water should be? My tank water is testing at 7.4-6 (it's got wood in it), but my tap water is coming out around 8! My previous tanks have never had any problems with pH (always been right on 7 or just below). I don't really want to add a whole lot of chemicals, but this is a newish tank and it's still cycling - I'm worrying about my ammonia/pH ratio etc. Any advice would be appreciated! Cheers L Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpidersWeb Posted January 8, 2007 Report Share Posted January 8, 2007 Take a cup or so of tap water, leave it overnight, and test the pH the next day. You'll find the pH changes as the various gasses escape. Tap water will always be above pH 7 to prevent pipe corrosion but can vary depending on what your council put in it. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AL008 Posted January 8, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2007 Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharn Posted January 8, 2007 Report Share Posted January 8, 2007 as SW said its possible it is degassing and then the wood in the tank is lowering it further. the ph will drop slightly once the chlorine has dissapated. once youve tested the tap water after 24 hours it will tell you how much your driftwood has dropped the ph. i beleive fish waste and a few other factors can cause the ph to drop slightly also but im unsure how significant they would be Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted January 8, 2007 Report Share Posted January 8, 2007 The pH will rise as the chlorine is removed as the chlorine reacts with water to form hypochlorus acid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharn Posted January 8, 2007 Report Share Posted January 8, 2007 really? mine drops after its been aged, perhaps its something else causing it to drop? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackadder Posted January 13, 2007 Report Share Posted January 13, 2007 Probably the waters fairly soft and carbon dioxide dissolving in water will be forming carbonic acid, dropping your pH a bit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AL008 Posted January 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2007 Thank you for your replies. I don't think the wood is helping lower the pH at all. It's macrocarpa river 'driftwood'. The tank pH is constant, but at 7.4-7.6. Is that way too high? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanjury Posted January 13, 2007 Report Share Posted January 13, 2007 Thats not high at all as long as your fish look happy and its stable dont worry about it, mucking around with it will cause it to fluctuate and stress the fish more.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpidersWeb Posted January 14, 2007 Report Share Posted January 14, 2007 I like my tanks around 7.5, means you've got a good carbonate hardness which means pH swings are unlikely. A stable pH is better than the perfect pH. I *prefer* a pH of 7 if I can, but most my tanks are 7.2-7.5, I have one thats close to 8 thanks to gravel with shells, and when I move fish in or out they dont mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evilknieval69 Posted January 14, 2007 Report Share Posted January 14, 2007 I dont take hardly an notification of pH. To me it is not a necessary thing to get perfect. as long as it is stable, it doesn't matter much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AL008 Posted January 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2007 Thank you for your help! It sounds okay then. It's not swinging up or down, it's just higher than I've had experience with - and I'd like my fish to be happy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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