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i only bring this up because i plan on starting up a new tank with fish that prefer a lower pH than what I THOUGHT was coming out of my tap. The water in my current tank always tests at about 7.4, so I assumed that this was what my tap water's pH was. However, when i tested straight out of the faucet, it came up at about 6.8-7.0 (darn color codes...) In my tank I have two fairly large pieces of driftwood, and four rocks. SO what's making the pH in my tank higher than the tap? Is it the rocks? They're fairly small, smaller than my fist so I dont know how much of an effect they would have. Thanks

rich

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Water coming straight out of the tap is often stuffed with CO2, which drops the pH down. If you leave a sample of tap water overnight and test it again, you'll have your real tap pH. If this is still lower than he tank's, yes, I'd look to the rocks.

-Molly
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Hi,
What you are reporting is fairly normal. Tap water contains
trapped gasses and once out of the pipes and sitting open
the water will degas and the pH change. Driftwood generally
will tend to lower the pH as it gives off tanic acid. As it
cures (ages) the amount of tannic acid will drop off to
nearly nothing, and the influence on the tank's pH will
become negligible. Carbonate rocks will tend to make the
water harder and increase the pH as the CO3 (carbonate ion)
mixes with the water. From what you describe, those would
have to be some pretty potent rocks to make that big an
influence on the pH and hardness.

I suspect you are just seeing the aging process of the
water occur.

Frank


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thanks! i tell ya, these forums are priceless when it comes to getting information.

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