Sorry for the text wall, just want to provide as much information as possible because I can't figure this out:
On my liquid API test kit the pH color for 6.0 (or presumably less) is yellow. This is the color I get when testing the water in my aquarium. When I use the 'high pH' test kit I also get yellow, so I don't think it is actually really high and just registering yellow with the normal pH test kit. I cross-checked the results using a API pH test strip and also got 6.0.
I have a 100 gallon tank that has been in operation for a few years. I recently started to get into the hobby and am trying to learn about how to provide a good environment for my fish. In checking the tank's water conditions I am getting low pH readings of 6.0 (or possibly lower, the API test kit only reads down to 6.0). I checked my tap water and the pH is in the 7.8-8.0 range-- so its much higher than that of the aquarium. I have done probably 10+ 10-50% water changes in the last 2 months because of a high nitrate level concentration I was having. Because of this I would expect the pH of the tank to be higher, as its being infused with so much high pH tap water. But for some reason the pH seems to lower in the tank very quickly. For example, I did a 20% water change a few days ago and the tank's pH went up to 6.6 but when I checked the pH today it is down to the 6.0 (or lower) reading. 30 Hours ago I did a 40% water change and the tank pH came up to 6.8, but now it is back to ~6.0.
Note that high nitrate levels are no longer a problem and they have been under 40ppm for over a month and several water changes.
I have tried leaving the tap water in a glass for a few days and it remains at a high pH level.
Over the last week I have been using some RO water with a pH 7.0 I got from a LFS. This has accounted for 1/2-1/4 of the water I am using during the changes.
My tank is currently stocked with:
-~Inch think of gravel/rocks on the bottom--typical aquarium stuff that has been in use in various aquariums 10+ years.
-Two pieces of small-medium driftwood that have been in use in various aquariums 10+ years. I also had a large piece of driftwood which is only a few weeks old in the aquarium but I removed it as I read the tannic acid that leeches out can lower pH levels (although I had soaked it for 2 weeks prior like recommended).
-A glazed ceramic 'log' thing.
-A few small granite rocks.
-Several fake plants.
-Two real plants (a Amazon sword and some elodea)
-Two filters (one is a back hanging filter and one is a canister filter with carbon, de*nitrate, and those ceramic things for bacteria to grow on, as its filter media).
Thanks for any help/ideas/suggestions!
*Edit for formatting
On my liquid API test kit the pH color for 6.0 (or presumably less) is yellow. This is the color I get when testing the water in my aquarium. When I use the 'high pH' test kit I also get yellow, so I don't think it is actually really high and just registering yellow with the normal pH test kit. I cross-checked the results using a API pH test strip and also got 6.0.
I have a 100 gallon tank that has been in operation for a few years. I recently started to get into the hobby and am trying to learn about how to provide a good environment for my fish. In checking the tank's water conditions I am getting low pH readings of 6.0 (or possibly lower, the API test kit only reads down to 6.0). I checked my tap water and the pH is in the 7.8-8.0 range-- so its much higher than that of the aquarium. I have done probably 10+ 10-50% water changes in the last 2 months because of a high nitrate level concentration I was having. Because of this I would expect the pH of the tank to be higher, as its being infused with so much high pH tap water. But for some reason the pH seems to lower in the tank very quickly. For example, I did a 20% water change a few days ago and the tank's pH went up to 6.6 but when I checked the pH today it is down to the 6.0 (or lower) reading. 30 Hours ago I did a 40% water change and the tank pH came up to 6.8, but now it is back to ~6.0.
Note that high nitrate levels are no longer a problem and they have been under 40ppm for over a month and several water changes.
I have tried leaving the tap water in a glass for a few days and it remains at a high pH level.
Over the last week I have been using some RO water with a pH 7.0 I got from a LFS. This has accounted for 1/2-1/4 of the water I am using during the changes.
My tank is currently stocked with:
-~Inch think of gravel/rocks on the bottom--typical aquarium stuff that has been in use in various aquariums 10+ years.
-Two pieces of small-medium driftwood that have been in use in various aquariums 10+ years. I also had a large piece of driftwood which is only a few weeks old in the aquarium but I removed it as I read the tannic acid that leeches out can lower pH levels (although I had soaked it for 2 weeks prior like recommended).
-A glazed ceramic 'log' thing.
-A few small granite rocks.
-Several fake plants.
-Two real plants (a Amazon sword and some elodea)
-Two filters (one is a back hanging filter and one is a canister filter with carbon, de*nitrate, and those ceramic things for bacteria to grow on, as its filter media).
Thanks for any help/ideas/suggestions!
*Edit for formatting