Lfs Water Ph Levels

[chris348]

Did a quick test this morning of the PH levels in my tank. Now standing proudly at 8.2, quite impressed with myself and thanks for the info guys

Someone mentioned testing the water from my LFS, shock horror it came in at 7.2, hence where my problem lies obviously.

Now do i need to keep adding Soda into their water before adding to the tank, or is there a liquid additive i could simply add? Not happy about using liquids as i really want to keep the tank as natural as is possible.

 

[SkiFletch]

For ease of delivery you can add baking soda to water and add it that way

This water from your LFS, did it already have seawater mix in it?

 

[chris348]

No none at all, its basically RO filtered tap water, straight from the pipe.

I asked them about the water they gave and told them about the water tests i had. They just shrugged their shoulders and said the water was used in all their tanks, nothing has gone wrong. I asked them about using baking soda and they laughed, said i should use a tub of "proper ph 8.2" as baking soda may not be the right kind. Out of blindness i have taken it and will try, its French !!! and is said to level the ph to 8.2 over a period of time (as baking soda), contains nil phosphate !!!

I shall test the waters in the morning as i have just completed a 50 - 75% water change..

 

[johnnyjtaylor]

RO water does have a low ph on account of it being pure water(If this is what you mean you tested)The lack of alkalinity in your tank will be more likely due to your salt mix and not the fault of your LFS!!

 

[andywg]

No none at all, its basically RO filtered tap water, straight from the pipe.

RO water is very close to pure water which will start a pH of 6.998 at 25 degrees C. However, as this water is so "empty" for want of a better word, CO2 from the atmosphere will dissolve into it readily which will drive the pH down.

The only test worth doing on pure RO is a TDS test. Most other tests rely on reagents reacting on things dissolved in the water which just aren't there in RO.

 

[SkiFletch]

To Andywg you listen

And about the baking soda... It's pure sodium bicarbonate which is the same stuff as is in that "proper pH 8.2" stuff. I've been using baking soda to dose my tank for alkalinity for the past 1.5 years. It's quite safe