onlywei Posted March 7, 2022 Share Posted March 7, 2022 Seems to be a pretty big difference between each testing method in my pH. that’s an aquarium co-op test strip to the left. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted March 7, 2022 Share Posted March 7, 2022 This is an issue! If the digital tester has been calibrated, I’d trust that. If you want a compromise answer… somewhere a bit above 7.0 pH. But yikes! Pretty tricky to pin down there… 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lefty o Posted March 7, 2022 Share Posted March 7, 2022 its like a rainbow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anon Posted March 7, 2022 Share Posted March 7, 2022 Looks like the meter isn't calibrated correctly. The strip and water test are showing pretty much the same range, ~8.3-8.4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlywei Posted March 7, 2022 Author Share Posted March 7, 2022 On 3/7/2022 at 5:26 PM, Anon said: Looks like the meter isn't calibrated correctly. The strip and water test are showing pretty much the same range, ~8.3-8.4 Really? The color of the water test indicates below 8.0 to me. It's mostly orange, not purple. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anon Posted March 7, 2022 Share Posted March 7, 2022 On 3/7/2022 at 2:29 PM, onlywei said: Really? The color of the water test indicates below 8.0 to me. It's mostly orange, not purple. It could just be my brightness/contrast, but it looks closest to 8.0 or 8.2 on my screen. You could also have the water tested by a local fish store and compare their results. I wouldn't trust the meter unless you can personally calibrate it... in my experience you can purchase multiple of the same digital meter and they'll give you different results, doesn't matter if it's TDS, ph, temp, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrencher_Scott Posted March 7, 2022 Share Posted March 7, 2022 I say 7.4. What do we win? Chicken dinner? I have never been able to read a test strip for pH, I think they don't work honestly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horsewishr Posted March 8, 2022 Share Posted March 8, 2022 I SHARE your frustration! I have multiple test kits, strips, and a pH meter. All show wildly different numbers. And then people tell you that "pH doesn't really matter . . . as long as it's stable." I've decided to stop losing sleep over it. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CT_ Posted March 8, 2022 Share Posted March 8, 2022 On 3/7/2022 at 4:01 PM, horsewishr said: I SHARE your frustration! I have multiple test kits, strips, and a pH meter. All show wildly different numbers. And then people tell you that "pH doesn't really matter . . . as long as it's stable." I've decided to stop losing sleep over it. This. ACO strips say my water is 6.4, the api "high kit" is maddening to read because 7.4 and 8.0-8.2ish are the same color(!!!). I've taken samples to the lab I work in and gotten other numbers. my tap is 8.0 to 8.6 depending on the day but it has 0 hardness so once anything in the tank reacts to the -OH they add to my tap the ph crashes. Like horsewishr i've given up caring too much. I throw crushed coral in my HOB so now I'm pretty sure it stays above 7.5. Good enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrencher_Scott Posted March 8, 2022 Share Posted March 8, 2022 On 3/7/2022 at 2:29 PM, onlywei said: Really? The color of the water test indicates below 8.0 to me. It's mostly orange, not purple. agreed, no purple. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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