Ph vs Gh vs Kh

[20GL]

Hello dear AA members!
I think this is a silly question, but I thought I would through out there:

Background:
I have a cycled 20 gallon long tank with a pair of GBR. They are great: active, food gobbling, showing colors, already laid eggs once. The PH in my tank is high (as best I can tell it reads 8.0 on the API drip test, though on the strips it read at 7.0 - pretty inaccurate). All other readings are within norm: amm=0; Ni=0; Na=5. Water change schedule is 25% once a week. Ph out of the tap is 8.6. I don't want to mess with the ph since the fish seem to be doing great.

Question:
If the PH is high (8.0), but the KH and GH readings are at 0, do I have soft water? Will the GBR be ok? Or should I try to play around with PH in one of my other 3 tanks and move them if I am successful? How concerned should I be?
I know fish can adapt to ph and that consistency is healthier than messing with the chemistry, but I want to be sure.

My GBR are now my favorite fish! I want to keep them healthy since they are doing so well!

Thanks!

 

[fort384]

The pH may be ok, so long as it is stable. With KH and GH readings of 0, however, I would think you would have some pH fluctuation. What kind of water are you using in the tank?

 

[20GL]

Thank you, Fort384! Good questions. The 0 results are from the API test strips. I got liquid tests for Gh and kh which I will do tomorrow after work. I will post my results ASAP. My water is from my tap- comes from hetch-hetchy reservoir. I treat it with kordon novaqua plus.

 

[fort384]

Do you have a water softener?

 

[20GL]

Sorry - crazy couple of days here. I really appreciate the help though! I do not have a softener - the water coming out of the tap is untreated.

I just did the drop test.
GH - 4 drops - ppm = 71
KH - between 2 and 3 drops - ppm = 35-53

Does that make more sense?

 

[fort384]

Yes that is much better. I would say you'll be just fine with that water so long as pH remains stable.

 

[20GL]

Thank you again!