Since I have set up my tank (4 or 5 months ago), the ph reading has been 7.6 (bright blue) and the "high" ph test shows 7.4. I know if I use the regular ph test and the reading is bright blue, it can also mean the ph is higher than the test strip guide indicates.

I am unclear what the difference is. Do the two combined tests mean the ph is somewhere in between 7.4 & 7.6? Can someone please shed some light on the difference between the two tests? Thanks!

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AVATAR: Wallace's Flying Frog: a moss frog found from the Malay Peninsula into western Indonesia.
Their webbed feet are their "wings"!

Basically it means it's somewhat in that range, and with pH generally all you need is a range anyways. 90% of aquariums never need be tested for pH at all, the only real reason to worry about pH is for breeding certain fish or the 10% of fish that are pH sensitive, the rest can all easily survive at the pH level of most tap waters.

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30G planted aquarium with Aquaclear 50 and two Aquaclear 20s. 7 Cherry Barbs, 12 Cardinal Tetras, 1 Albino Bristlenose Pleco, 1 Golden Honey Gourami, and a handful of Ghost Shrimp.

Agreed. Your pH is between 7.4 and 7.6, and that's a good enough range to be able to know if things are safe for your fish or not.

I have the same problem with my tank. I have both the regular pH kit and the high pH kit and I've got a 'somewhere between the two kit' range as well.... kinda' frustrating isn't it?

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20g Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981
36g Bow Front Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981

Holly~ it is frustrating! But I am glad to hear I am not the only one with this situation. Thanks to you and Chris, I now know all is well!

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AVATAR: Wallace's Flying Frog: a moss frog found from the Malay Peninsula into western Indonesia.
Their webbed feet are their "wings"!

Hello frog...

Unless you're keeping rare fish species, you don't need to be concerned about, pH, water hardness, etc. Those things aren't important to keeping a successful aquarium. The key is not to try to change it. Actually, a pH of 8.5 is fine. As long as these tank conditions don't change suddenly, then your fish and plants will adapt.

Granted, all tanks are a little different, but I think you can be pretty certain the water out of your tap is fine. Just use the standard treatment to remove chlorine, chloramine and ammonia and change half the water in your tank weekly and just enjoy the hobby.

B

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Low Tech Water Building Keeper