Water conditioner causing high PH?

FinnFan · 09-01-2007, 11:01 AM

Hey all, I was checking the PH on my water this morning, and noticed it was high. At least 7.6 (I don't have a kit to test higher than that.)

Anyway, I know for a fact that straight out of the tap, my water has been around 7.0 to 6.6, so I was surprised to find the high PH. In order to figure out what was causing the high PH, I mixed two seperate jugs of water. One with Tetra Aqua "Aquasafe" (not supposed to affect PH at all, to my knowledge) water conditioner, and the other one with SeaChem's "Neutral Regulator" (removes chlorine, chloramine & ammonia, and ajusts ph to 7.0) After mixing each jug and shaking vigorously, I checked the PH's of both.

My tap water this morning is around 6.6
The Tetra AquaSafe had upped the PH to somewhere between 7.2 and 7.6

The SeaChem Neutral Regulator had done what it was supposed to do, and made the water right about 7.0.

Is Sea Chem a better brand? Are all of their products superior to TetraAqua? I'd rather just buy the better product, the first time around, so that's why I am asking

emc7 · 09-01-2007, 12:10 PM

I do like the seachem brand, they are very good and have excellent products for pH/hardness buffering. However, It sounds like the Aquasafe is not attempting to control pH so its not fair to compare it to the one that is. Are you using the recommended dose? Product that have an insignificant affect on pH in large tanks, may definitely show one in a gallon size. The best thing for the fish is to have a pH that doesn't change, so alway use the same water conditioner, don't switch back and forth. Since your water is close to neutral, anyway, you could save a little money by just using Prime. If your tapwater is erratic or tend to fall in pH if you let it sit, then use the neutral regulator. I do think 7.6 is fine for bettas also, just be consistent.

FinnFan · 09-01-2007, 02:35 PM

Well, I always mix it up one gallon at a time, and age the water overnight. I think I'll stick to the SeaChem, because I have heard good things about their other products, especially Prime and Stability.

Thanks!

09-01-2007, 11:01 AM	#1
FinnFan Information junkie Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Somewhere over the rainbow Posts: 214	Water conditioner causing high PH? Hey all, I was checking the PH on my water this morning, and noticed it was high. At least 7.6 (I don't have a kit to test higher than that.) Anyway, I know for a fact that straight out of the tap, my water has been around 7.0 to 6.6, so I was surprised to find the high PH. In order to figure out what was causing the high PH, I mixed two seperate jugs of water. One with Tetra Aqua "Aquasafe" (not supposed to affect PH at all, to my knowledge) water conditioner, and the other one with SeaChem's "Neutral Regulator" (removes chlorine, chloramine & ammonia, and ajusts ph to 7.0) After mixing each jug and shaking vigorously, I checked the PH's of both. My tap water this morning is around 6.6 The Tetra AquaSafe had upped the PH to somewhere between 7.2 and 7.6 The SeaChem Neutral Regulator had done what it was supposed to do, and made the water right about 7.0. Is Sea Chem a better brand? Are all of their products superior to TetraAqua? I'd rather just buy the better product, the first time around, so that's why I am asking

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09-01-2007, 12:10 PM	#2
emc7 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Johns Creek, GA Posts: 3,272	I do like the seachem brand, they are very good and have excellent products for pH/hardness buffering. However, It sounds like the Aquasafe is not attempting to control pH so its not fair to compare it to the one that is. Are you using the recommended dose? Product that have an insignificant affect on pH in large tanks, may definitely show one in a gallon size. The best thing for the fish is to have a pH that doesn't change, so alway use the same water conditioner, don't switch back and forth. Since your water is close to neutral, anyway, you could save a little money by just using Prime. If your tapwater is erratic or tend to fall in pH if you let it sit, then use the neutral regulator. I do think 7.6 is fine for bettas also, just be consistent.

09-01-2007, 02:35 PM	#3
FinnFan Information junkie Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Somewhere over the rainbow Posts: 214	Well, I always mix it up one gallon at a time, and age the water overnight. I think I'll stick to the SeaChem, because I have heard good things about their other products, especially Prime and Stability. Thanks!

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