[DefStatic]

So for the longest time I was using pH down, although I don't now why as it never really seemed to do anything. Then I learned it was pointless and to just enjoy have a stable tank.

I recently moved to an entire new area, and had decided to continue not use pH down. But I never checked the pH of my new water (as the API test frustrates me, because usually I would max the low one and do nothing on the high one).

I decided to test the pH for fun today while doing my normal testing routine. Amazingly, both my 3 gallon betta tanks now have a normal pH, it looks like it is spot on 7.0. The only change I made was adding a banana plant to each tank.

So I thought, well, maybe it's the water here. So I tested my 10 gal and 30 gal. Both of those are still maxing the low and doing nothing on the high.

Any thoughts on what is causing this? I still have not tested the tap water but I will.

 

[OVT]

pH drops a bit as the tanks mature: mulm and driftwood decay are the usual suspects.

v3

 

[Diana]

Test the tap and tanks for
GH
KH
TDS
pH
Run some tap water into a glass and let it sit on the counter, open. Test pH at 24 hours and 48 hours as well as fresh from the tap.

If the pH tests read at the top of the mid range pH test (about the mid 7s) and the bottom of the high range, that is OK, that is where one test quits and the other takes over. Both tests could be right.

If they read at the bottom of the mid range test (low 6s? 6.0?) then the high range test is not valid.

Similarly, if they read at the upper end of the high range test (8+?) the mid range test is not valid.

 

[DefStatic]

pH drops a bit as the tanks mature: mulm and driftwood decay are the usual suspects.

One betta tank has driftwood, the other does not. I have had both running for 6+ months.

The 30 gallon has been running for over a year, and has driftwood, heavily planted. Well, all are heavily planted. The pH on the 30 gal has always done the same. Highest on the low test and lowest on the high test.

v3

Test the tap and tanks for
GH
KH
TDS
pH
Run some tap water into a glass and let it sit on the counter, open. Test pH at 24 hours and 48 hours as well as fresh from the tap.

If the pH tests read at the top of the mid range pH test (about the mid 7s) and the bottom of the high range, that is OK, that is where one test quits and the other takes over. Both tests could be right.

If they read at the bottom of the mid range test (low 6s? 6.0?) then the high range test is not valid.

Similarly, if they read at the upper end of the high range test (8+?) the mid range test is not valid.

I actually have a GH and KH test on the way, prob about a week out. And I have been looking at getting a TDS meter, but I do not know a good one to get that isn't too expensive, nor have i done enough research on it for why I should have one.

 

[OVT]

A TDS pen / meter by Hanna is < $20. Reputable company with good products. Mine is 5+ years and still works, not that I use it much at all.

v3