why is my pH so high
 

hey everyone,
i tested my tank with liquid pH testers and im getting 8.6 consistently....im worried because i think thats too high.....its consistent and not changing so is it possible to keep fish, inverts and various corals alive with that pH. if not what can i do to lower it to 8.0 or 8.3?
thanks

have any livestock at the moment? whats your tap waters ph? it should be more neutral

i dont have any livestock in there, its been about a week since i started cycling. i havent tested the pH directly out of the tap but i'll do that now and post the results...

alright i tested fresh out of the tap and it was pH of 7.6 which actually amazes me considering i have kept so many fresh water fish in here that would have needed lower pH

What are you using to test it with?

im using the master test kit, liquid pH tester. im not using the paper pH testing thing.



im following the directions word by word....5 ml's of the water and 3 drops of the liquid tester. then i shake the test tube and then test immediately like it says to do

master by nutrafin?

oh sorry....just realized there are different master test kits........yeah by nutrafin

thats why its reading so high, get salifert or elos, I had nutrafin before too cause it was fresh and salt water "compatible" but its not. lol they are so inaccurate I just tossed it. if its still new you could take it back just tell them its crap and we said so! lol

8.6 isnt terrible...my tank sits at 8.3 at the peak of the swing...could just be wonky from the unstable conditions from your cycle.....I really wouldnt stress to much about it at this stage of the game......and ya, nutrafin test kits are not the most accurate.....