[Seattle_Aquarist]

I'm setting up a new tank and put in HTH pool filter sand from Ace hardware after reading that many hobbyists had used it with success. At least, I thought I did. My pH is now over 8, verified by my monitor and my test kit. My tapwater is dead neutral.

Here's the one I got:

View attachment 1048357 View attachment 1048356

I just noticed that this package is labeled "compatible with salt systems," and also saw the water parameters on the back. So, I'm pretty bummed, but am assuming I got the wrong product. Or I misread the recommendations. I'm not sure. Is this aragonite sand?

Can anyone suggest a sand that won't change my pH? Not looking forward to scooping all this out.

Thanks!

Hi everyone,

It is important to remember that to get the true pH of tap water it needs to sit in an open glass container for 24 hours to "de-gas" and remove the dissolved gasses (like CO2 which would cause the water directly out of the tap to read lower than it actually is). "De-gassing" is not necessary to do with well water but it is with municipal water. -Roy