graciebee19 Posted March 12, 2023 Share Posted March 12, 2023 Hello! I started my tank 3 years ago, I've noticed over time that the ph in the tank is slightly higher than from the tap. I live in the country and we have well water. It's pretty hard stuff so we do have a water softer in the house. My parameters have been pretty constant gh 3 to 4, kh 13 to 14, ammonia 0, nitrites 0, and ph 8.2. The tank is a fluval flex 9gl. It's got a good amount of plants in fluval stratum. The tap ph is 7.2 to 7.4. I have two ottos that are 3 years old, rams horns that do well. I have/had other fish like ember tetras (two embers that are 3 now) and a betta( the betta was two when he passed). Currently Im trying some chilis and some cpds. I'm just curious why I would see a change in the oh like that ( my understanding of ph is limited, but i never chased a number.) I had water as it evaporates and do water changes every 2 to 3 weeks. Any thoughts or suggestions are definitely welcome since I still feel like a baby in this hobby. Thanks and have a great day. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mmiller2001 Posted March 12, 2023 Share Posted March 12, 2023 Adding tap water to replace evaporated water? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
graciebee19 Posted March 12, 2023 Author Share Posted March 12, 2023 Yes, I use the tap to replace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOtrees Posted March 12, 2023 Share Posted March 12, 2023 Have you measured the pH of your tap water after aging it for a day or two? It may be coming out of the tap with dissolved gasses that are “artificially” lowering the pH. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mmiller2001 Posted March 12, 2023 Share Posted March 12, 2023 (edited) On 3/12/2023 at 3:55 PM, graciebee19 said: Yes, I use the tap to replace You are raising KH by adding tap water to top off the tank. You ideally want to top off water with RO or distilled water. Edited March 12, 2023 by Mmiller2001 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
graciebee19 Posted March 12, 2023 Author Share Posted March 12, 2023 On 3/12/2023 at 4:58 PM, TOtrees said: Have you measured the pH of your tap water after aging it for a day or two? It may be coming out of the tap with dissolved gasses that are “artificially” lowering the pH. No I haven't but I definitely will test that! On 3/12/2023 at 5:10 PM, Mmiller2001 said: You are raising KH by adding tap water to top off the tank. You ideally want to top off water with RO or distilled water. Okay, I can do that I have options not far from me. Does keeping the KH less help lower PH? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mmiller2001 Posted March 12, 2023 Share Posted March 12, 2023 On 3/12/2023 at 4:12 PM, graciebee19 said: Okay, I can do that I have options not far from me. Does keeping the KH less help lower PH? Yes, lower KH keeps pH at a lower range. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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