Ph higher in tank than tap

[trislin]

Hi

I'm doing a fishless cycle but am concerned with the water Ph. I'm going to get platies but my tank ph is 8.2. My tap water however is 7.4 which is fine for platies. Why is my tank reading higher? Right now I have one fake plant, one small log decoration and some petco brand gravel. I'm sorry if this has been asked. Iv'e done a board search and I'm not finding the answer so far.

Thanks!!!

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Some ph levels out of a tap will change after sitting out for 24 hours

 

[librarygirl]

Yep, sometimes the PH can change once the water gasses off. To test, leave a glass of tap water out for 24 hours (stir it occasionally) and then test PH again. If it's 8.2 then that's your true PH and what your tank's PH should be. If it's different then there may be something in the tank that raises PH. Even if it is 8.2 though most fish will adapt to your PH as long as it's stable so you should be fine.