Best pH test?

Moozillion

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Are those pH test strips the best method for testing pH?
What do people use for best accuracy?
I'm asking because I have the test strips, and before I put water into my tank, it tests at 6.5 or between that and 7.0. But when I test the water directly from the tank, it tests at 7.5. :(

I'm confused!!!!
 

ZEROPILOT

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7.0 is neutral.
With aged water in your tank, it will buffer easier. More water will buffer easier.
There might be an acid condition and an ammonia spike until you get things going.
I find it cheaper to use the kit with the three drops and the little glass bottle and I buffer my PH with a little crushed coral either in the filter or sprinkled in the gravel.
 

Moozillion

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7.0 is neutral.
With aged water in your tank, it will buffer easier. More water will buffer easier.
There might be an acid condition and an ammonia spike until you get things going.
I find it cheaper to use the kit with the three drops and the little glass bottle and I buffer my PH with a little crushed coral either in the filter or sprinkled in the gravel.
GREAT!!!! WHERE do you get the little glass bottle kit? All I can find here (PetSmart and PetCo) is the test strips.
The crushed coral will lower the pH? Our water is very alkaline...I wonder if it's from the chlorination?
 

ZEROPILOT

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Crushed coral will both make the water more alkaline. (less acidic) And help to buffer/stabilize the levels. Waste matter will soon make the water acidic.
I'm not sure where I got mine. Try Doctors Foster and Smith online. I don't buy much from Petco. At least I haven't. Maybe I will now that I have fewer aquariums.
 

Moozillion

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7.0 is neutral.
With aged water in your tank, it will buffer easier. More water will buffer easier.
There might be an acid condition and an ammonia spike until you get things going.
I find it cheaper to use the kit with the three drops and the little glass bottle and I buffer my PH with a little crushed coral either in the filter or sprinkled in the gravel.
Ignore my previous question! :) I found "fish test kit" on Amazon and I also found the answer to the coral question; unfortunately our water is already very alkaline... I may try the sphagnum moss method...
 

Moozillion

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Crushed coral will both make the water more alkaline. (less acidic) And help to buffer/stabilize the levels. Waste matter will soon make the water acidic.
I'm not sure where I got mine. Try Doctors Foster and Smith online. I don't buy much from Petco. At least I haven't. Maybe I will now that I have fewer aquariums.
Ok- thanks! :)
 

Loohan

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cheap test kits are also sold for hydroponics. I got one where all you have to do is put small amount of water in a tube. Amount of water does not matter as the reaction floats on top when you add 1 drop of reagent. Then you compare the color with a chart.
 

mike taylor

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A little trick ..... Take your sample to a pool company . I have a friend that works at one that I take water samples to . Then I take that info to my local fish shop . They help me get the water right . Real plants in Little baskets help with water quality . Dead leaves in the bottom help also . Just depends on what you need . I'm no chemist so I take the easy way out .
 
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