Water Paramiters / PH

[Trilogy]

I have just recently set up a 10 gal tank. It has been running now for 4 weeks. Currently there are 4 tiger barbs which all seem to be doing well and have gained more color since I brought them home.

Current tank water conditions are:

Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 5
PH - 7.6 - 7.8
Temp - 77
PWCs - 25% weekly

So I guess I am fully cycled. Earlier I thought my PH was a little on the high side so I tested the water from the tap and the PH was 8.4. My question is can it be possible to have this much of a drop in the PH of the tank water?

I'm am definitely still learning. My tank I had as a kid, each month we would empty everything out scrub it clean and fill it up. What a pain that was to keep clean. I'm surprised the fish lived as long as they did. Glad I learned the correct way to do it this time. Much easier also.

 

[rich311k]

Test your PH from the tap after it has set out overnight. I bet it close to the PH of the tank. It sure looks to me like you are cycled, congratulations, enjoy the tank.

 

[MSU Fan]

I have tested my tap water, and it was also in the low-mid 8's. However, in the tank, the PH never goes above 7.6. So I assume that the PH of my tap water must drop somewhere.

I have not left the tap water out overnight yet to test...maybe I will tonight and see!

 

[Voodoo Chilli]

Let it sit, exposed to air, for a full 24 hours. That'll give you a much more accurate reading.