pH color issues

[Nicho]

So I'm upgrading from a 40g breeder to a 75g. Had cichlids but now I'm going for a community. I live in NC, so I know my tap water is more on the alkaline side, but for some reason my old tank's water is softer than my tap water.

This concerns me because I have Petco zebra rock (pictures will be included) in the old tank. I've read all about how it's notorious for raising the pH for cichlid tanks. Other than that it's just NatGeo sand in the old tank. No chemicals added or anything.

Someone explain these odd colors on my readings please. Left is old tank water and right is tap water in the new tank.

 

[Mebbid]

before testing tap water pH you have to let is sit out overnight for the gasses to normalize. Tap water is never the same pH after it sits out as CO2 has a major effect.

Let it sit out overnight and try testing again then let us know what the difference is. Then we can visit other potential causes

 

[Nicho]

It has been sitting all night. I filled the tank up halfway, I was planning to fill it up the rest of the way with the old tank water.

Id say it sat for about 12 to 14 hours before i did the test.