A safe pH level range for drinking water is considered to be between six and 8.5. The pH of pure water is 7.0. To test pH in a fish tank, start by looking up the desired pH for your aquarium online since different kinds of fish have different pH requirements. If the pH level in your tank is off, you may need to add solutions or conditioners to stabilize it. High range kits will measure from 7.6 up to 8.8. If necessary, adjust the meter accordingly. If you have a strip test, simply dip the strip in the water, wait a minute, and compare it to a color card. However, there is no reason to be alarmed, as the acidity of RO water is weak. You can then adjust the meter accordingly. Test twice a day if you have recently done a water change. After some time you would find the hole in the middle of the potato is filled with brine. They are also more expensive ($60 to $100), but might save you in the long run. New water will help maintain acceptable pH levels. Aerators provide gas exchanges that can keep your pH level, alkalinity, and carbon dioxide concentration perfect for your fish. Testing the pH in your fish tank is one of the most important elements of keeping a clean and healthy environment for your fish. Chemical testers will include a color card, little glass test tube, and a bottle with pH test solution. To understand, take half of a large potato and scoop out the middle. 0-6 = low pH = acidic = Yellow - correct by adding a base (like calcium carbonate) = pH up The drops are going to be a minuscule amount, so my guess is your fish will be fine. Calibrate the probe and meter following the manufacturer specifications. This will help keep your desired pH. Once you know what pH level your tank should be at, test it using a chemical or digital pH tester, which you can buy online or at your local pet store. What happens if I add pH test drops directly to my tank water by mistake? Kit prices will range from $5 to $100 or more. % of people told us that this article helped them. The pH of a solution is a measure of the molar concentration of hydrogen ions in the solution, and as such, is a measure of the acidity or basicity of the solution. Apply tester to your aquarium to see pH level. X Use these values in the calculator above to determine your rejection rate. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. This will upset the balance between chemicals, bacteria, and pH that you've been working to achieve. Digital testers will include the digital meter and packets of calibration solution. Set up an aerator that runs on a timer. After shaking the tube, get out your color card and under a bright light, compare the color of your water to the colors on the card. If you have a pH of 1, then it wouldn't be possible for anything to live in the water since it would be essentially like stomach acid. These strips come tainted in … Expert Interview. By using our site, you agree to our. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Doug Ludemann is the owner and operator of Fish Geeks, LLC, an aquarium services company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Test twice a week. Consider this before purchasing. HCO 3 is the predominant species at mid pH levels, and CO 3 is present at higher pH levels. As a result, water has a positive balance of H + ion, lowering its pH and making it acidic. If you want an indication of acid or base, then you can make indicator using red cabbage. Put the little snap tight lid on the tube, and shake it for 1-3 minutes straight. Chemical tester. Consider buying both so you can have an accurate reading. Test after you've introduced anything new into the tank. Children should only test the pH under the supervision of an adult. If you are testing with a low range kit, and get a reading of 7.6, your actual pH might be higher. For advice on how to choose a pH tester, read on! Number of uses you will get from the kit. This article has been viewed 132,139 times. Repeat daily until the ammonia level is at 0. How can I increase the pH of my fish tank? Look for one that runs on a timer so that you don't have to worry about forgetting to check the levels. Aquarium Care Professional. Grab your pH test solution, and carefully squirt 3 drops (or follow your directions) into the test tube with the water in it. Freshwater fish do well between 5.5 and 7.5. Most saltwater tanks should have a pH higher than 8.0. However, it won't remain so for long. Dip the test tube in the tank and fill it up to the 5ml line. Doug Ludemann. How do I know how much I need? As the fish defecate and urinate, they produce ammonia, which then increases the pH of water. Add solutions and other conditioners in order to maintain a healthy pH level for your fish. Stick the tip of the tester in the calibration liquid and wait the specified amount of time per your directions. Most manufacturers recommend changing your RO system’s membrane and pre/post filters every 8-12 months. It depends on what was the TDS of water before it went through the RO purification process. This article was co-authored by Doug Ludemann. You can make reverse osmosis water even healthier by raising it’s pH to alkaline levels, and by adding antioxidant potential to it. Remove dead fish or plants to avoid bacteria accumulation, or an increase in ammonia or nitrate levels. What's wrong and how do I fix this? “Guys like me have pH meters and consistently measure pH to check that our process and our water program is still spot on. Aerate your water to maintain healthy levels of oxygen. The RO purification process reduces the TDS of water by 90-95% at its prime. To test pH in a fish tank, start by looking up the desired pH for your aquarium online since different kinds of fish have different pH requirements. Last Updated: October 19, 2020 For advice on how to choose a pH tester, read on! 27 August 2019. Most freshwater tanks should have a pH of between 6.5 and 7.5. You then dip a strip in the sample, and the strip turns a color. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. 8-14 high pH = base/basic = Blue - correct by adding an acid = pH down. With the digital tester, you calibrate it using a supplied solution, and then dip it in your tank to get the reading. [1] This is the best solution if you have invested a lot of money in your aquarium. When To Change Your RO Membrane. Doug Ludemann is the owner and operator of Fish Geeks, LLC, an aquarium services company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Digital testers might not come with batteries. That may not manifest in immediate death, but you may lose your fish over time. The pH meter probe’s accuracy is affected by water temperature, so use a thermometer to measure the temperature of the water and adjust the meter to … You'll probably be testing your tank often, so consider this along with price and quality before you purchase. They are quick, though more expensive per test, however there is very little mess. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 132,139 times. Rinse the cup and meter again in RO water, then collect a sample of the RO water, and measure it again. The easiest method is using litmus paper. Place it in a bowl containing a small amount of very salty water. Digital tester. Microwave some strips of cabbage, soak up the juice in coffee filter paper, and leave to dry. When the pH bottoms out on a repetitive basis, it creates stress on your fish. Strip chemical tests will include strips and a color card. Never replace your water entirely. With the water being very free of ions, it tends to absorb anything it can, including CO2 from the air which dissolves to form carbonic acid. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. My tank is reading 8.0 pH and I have tropical fish. Expert Source To do that, you run remineralized reverse osmosis through a water ionizer and turn it into ionized alkaline water. Add new water on a regular basis. Then simply dissolve the required amount of baking soda in some conditioned water and add it to the aquarium. If you're short on cash, you might consider an inexpensive option. You may need to calibrate the meter by testing it in a substance with a known pH rating. Doug has worked in the aquarium and fish-care industry for over 20 years, including having worked as a professional aquarist for the Minnesota Zoo and Shedd Aquarium in Chicago.