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I have lived in our new home for just over a year now, the PH has always been well over 7, and the hardness is also off the chart. About a month ago I tested the PH again in my tanks and the tap, the hardness has not changed but the PH in the tap is now around 6 and the water in my tanks still have the same hardness and the PH is still off the chart. I have done a few large water changes since then and nothing has changed. From what I understand the PH should not really fluctuate, especially not this much. What could change the well water??? I have numerous rocks in my tanks that I'm not sure really what they are so I don't know if they could be keeping the PH high in my tanks or not.

Thanks Jewles

Have you tested the KH of your tap and tank water?

It could be possible that your tap water just has some more gases dissolved in it, like CO2, than it previously did. The more gases in the water, the lower the pH. Take a glass and fill it with tap water, and let it sit for 24 hours so all the gases are released. Test the pH then. That should give you a more accurate pH reading.

Additionally, it is possible that your well water may have hit some sulfide rocks. These rocks are usually very insoluble in water, but there are a few that will react with water and oxygen to form trace amount of sulfuric acid.

The rocks in your tank are probably a contributing factor in keeping your pH and GH high, especially if they're limestone, dolomite, crushed coral, or anything similar. If it is red lava rock, it probably is not doing much on that front.

Finally, if your test kit is old, it could be giving you skewed readings. There is usually an expiration date printed on the bottle somewhere. I'd check to see if it's gone bad.

Joe;

Thanks, I'll check into that.....

If all your water peramiters have not changed very much there is an excellent chance it is not your tank causing the problem.
Do several testings of your water supply over a 24hr period also get a full test done of your water supply at you LFS and ask them about the local water and if there has been any changes in the peramiters.
It might be an advantage to contact your local water supplier as well.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info

Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

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