testing my new water. ugh!

[current516]

Just moved to a new house. Finally starting to setup my tank. Started by testing my water. But the #s don't add up.

Tested 5 TIMES! so far (Chronological):

PH-7.0 GH-7 KH-6 PO-1 CO2-18 (right out of tap)
PH-7.6 GH-8 KH-6 PO-1 CO2-4.5 (sat overnight)
PH-7.2 GH-8 KH-6 PO-1 CO2-11 (sat for10 hrs.)
PH-7.4 GH-6 KH-6 PO-1 CO2-7.2 (sat for 3 hrs.)
PH-7.2 GH-6 KH-5 PO-1 CO2-9.5 ( filled my 60g- added aquasafe-sat 24hrs.)

Considering I am not injecting CO2 yet I don't trust these results. All of my tests are AP. From what I understand this is fine except for the PO test people seem to think Seachem is better. I also read that high PO can throw off my tests. So...

How high does PO have to be to throw off tests?
Could it be something else throwing off my tests?
What do I do now?!!

I can buy a Seachem PO test but, that won't help with the rest.

:?

 

[Purrbox]

If you've got an airpump handy, I'd recommend taking a sample of water and aerate it for an hour. After that, test for KH and pH again.

 

[current516]

If you've got an airpump handy, I'd recommend taking a sample of water and aerate it for an hour. After that, test for KH and pH again.

I'll try that tonight.

Thanks

 

[maxwell1295]

Why the airpump and how does that affect the test results?

 

[current516]

Why the airpump and how does that affect the test results?

I'm not sure, but figured I'd give it a try.

Any ideas?

 

[rich311k]

The air pump will completely gas off all the CO2 so current can get an accurate reading for his waters PH.

 

[maxwell1295]

gotcha.....I kinda figured that out right after I posted.

 

[current516]

The air pump will completely gas off all the CO2 so current can get an accurate reading for his waters PH.

Yup! I think it worked.

My test results were:
Ph-7.6 KH-5 CO2-3.8 GH-6 PO-1

I'll double check again tomorrow but,
Thanks Purrbox and everyone else here at AA!