joeynuna
Aquarium Advice Regular
Ok, I never really checked the PH of my tap water. I checked it last week with an API liquid test and the PH test out of the tap was 8.8. That's right, 8.8! I then used the PH test kit from my pool and it displayed a PH of 9.8. I called Missouri Water and confirmed that the PH is indeed 9.8. This is a link to the Missouri Water Testing;
Water Quality Reports
Use zip code 63017.
Now, I have three tanks and all three have a constant PH reading of 7.5-6. I have nothing special on any of my filters. I use Bio-Wheels on 2 tanks and an Eheim Canister on one. I don't use the Marineland filter cartridges, instead I use the Bio-Wheel as if it was a canister. I pack ceramic rings for mechanical along with a coarse pad with filter floss on-top and then, well, the bio wheel.
So I filled up an empty 20 gallon tank, added 2ml Prime and let it set for two days. On the second day I tested it and it was 8.8. I added a small power-head to the mix for aeration to see what might happen and left it for 2 days. Tested again PH 8.8.
Ammonia - 0
NitIte - 0
NitAte - 20
PH 7.5
Kh - 4
Gh - 7
My question, if I'm putting tap water into my tank with a PH of 9.8 what is causing the drop to 7.5-6 once it circulates though the tank . I would think it's safe to say that causing such a huge PH swing can't be good for the fish, even though it balances out, it still can't be good. How can I lower the PH of my tap water before I fill the tank?
Water Quality Reports
Use zip code 63017.
Now, I have three tanks and all three have a constant PH reading of 7.5-6. I have nothing special on any of my filters. I use Bio-Wheels on 2 tanks and an Eheim Canister on one. I don't use the Marineland filter cartridges, instead I use the Bio-Wheel as if it was a canister. I pack ceramic rings for mechanical along with a coarse pad with filter floss on-top and then, well, the bio wheel.
So I filled up an empty 20 gallon tank, added 2ml Prime and let it set for two days. On the second day I tested it and it was 8.8. I added a small power-head to the mix for aeration to see what might happen and left it for 2 days. Tested again PH 8.8.
Ammonia - 0
NitIte - 0
NitAte - 20
PH 7.5
Kh - 4
Gh - 7
My question, if I'm putting tap water into my tank with a PH of 9.8 what is causing the drop to 7.5-6 once it circulates though the tank . I would think it's safe to say that causing such a huge PH swing can't be good for the fish, even though it balances out, it still can't be good. How can I lower the PH of my tap water before I fill the tank?