Ok, what do the tanks contain? Any wood? What kind of substrate? Also what is the pH of your tap water after letting it gas off for 24 hours?
If the pH doesn't change in the tanks that's a good thing. Stability is the key to healthy fish and a stable cycle. What concerns me is the huge difference in the two tanks. But that could be caused by a few things.
What's your water change schedule like? How much water is changed how often?
Sorry for all the questions just trying to get a full picture.
As for the pH changing chems you want to avoid them. They can cause huge unstable changes which can cause stress to your fish.