Noticed something quite annoying when testing pH on my 10g planted tank, and don't know the cause. Here's the rundown:
Aquarium pH reads at ~8.2 with a GH of ~8 deg. Tap water pH reads at ~7.8 with a GH of ~13 deg.
I tested tap water that has been sitting out for 24 hours + as well as straight from the faucet, and got the same results in terms of parameters in hardness and pH, and has been the same predictable results for a number of years, as I live where there is hard water.
Tank has no rocks whatsoever, only spiderwood, plants, and BDBS. The water I put into the aquarium has .5 a gallon of DI water for ever 1.5 gallons of tap water, a 1/4 ratio, and I stay consistent with the ratio every water change. When I top off evaporation, I top off with pure DI water as well. Tank has no stock, only heavily planted, and currently cycling at 4 weeks old, ammonia and nitrite levels starting to lower, nitrates around 20ppm.
What's odd is my GH hardness has remained stable through the pH change but my KH values I have not tested yet, but I don't exactly know how they'd relate.
Are the plants lowering the pH of the water somehow? Any clues or input would be helpful.
Would also like to ask if this is related to gas exchange and plants utilizing Co2 in the water column to a point where the pH is raised. If this is the case, how could I mitigate this>
Aquarium pH reads at ~8.2 with a GH of ~8 deg. Tap water pH reads at ~7.8 with a GH of ~13 deg.
I tested tap water that has been sitting out for 24 hours + as well as straight from the faucet, and got the same results in terms of parameters in hardness and pH, and has been the same predictable results for a number of years, as I live where there is hard water.
Tank has no rocks whatsoever, only spiderwood, plants, and BDBS. The water I put into the aquarium has .5 a gallon of DI water for ever 1.5 gallons of tap water, a 1/4 ratio, and I stay consistent with the ratio every water change. When I top off evaporation, I top off with pure DI water as well. Tank has no stock, only heavily planted, and currently cycling at 4 weeks old, ammonia and nitrite levels starting to lower, nitrates around 20ppm.
What's odd is my GH hardness has remained stable through the pH change but my KH values I have not tested yet, but I don't exactly know how they'd relate.
Are the plants lowering the pH of the water somehow? Any clues or input would be helpful.
Would also like to ask if this is related to gas exchange and plants utilizing Co2 in the water column to a point where the pH is raised. If this is the case, how could I mitigate this>