Crazy high pH after water changes

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

FWIW, my tap water comes in in the mid 9’s. The local water supply intentionally raises it that high to reduce corrosion. If your tap water was similar, but also had some CO2 dissolved in it lowering the pH (as many types of well water do), it would degas when out into your tank and pH would rise.

 

[Darsh]

FWIW, my tap water comes in in the mid 9’s. The local water supply intentionally raises it that high to reduce corrosion. If your tap water was similar, but also had some CO2 dissolved in it lowering the pH (as many types of well water do), it would degas when out into your tank and pH would rise.

Very interesting, I suppose there are a lot of possibilities. But I first thought it was my sand, now it's sitting in a bucket more than a week and my meter reads 8.1 so I really don't know.
Anyway, I'll buy a new test kit asap and let you all know the results

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Very interesting, I suppose there are a lot of possibilities. But I first thought it was my sand, now it's sitting in a bucket more than a week and my meter reads 8.1 so I really don't know.
Anyway, I'll buy a new test kit asap and let you all know the results

I also would not be measuring pH before you put salt in. The salt mix will greatly stabilize the pH near pH 8.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

And, of course, I wouldn't be using tap water. lol

 

[Darsh]

I also would not be measuring pH before you put salt in. The salt mix will greatly stabilize the pH near pH 8.

Oh really? I never heard that before, that's really interesting! I had been thinking about mixing up a bucket and checking it.

And, of course, I wouldn't be using tap water. lol

Yes I know haha, my plan was just to leak test the tank and plumbing while kuring the rock at the same time. Hopefully when I get this new test, everything will be ready and I can start cycling. This all makes sense because I checked my notes and these rocks have been kuring for 4 and 5 and a half months!! (2 batches)

 

[Darsh]

So out of interests sake, or if anyone cares, here are my new test results.

This shows a few things:
Uncalibrated meters are indeed worthless.
My sand is good to go.
My first batch of rocks are good to go.

My second batch has risen slightly since yesterday so I'll check again in a few days.

I'm really relieved but also frustrated because I probably could have started cycling this tank a long time ago.

Thanks for everyone's input and help!

 

[ShadowReef]

So out of interests sake, or if anyone cares, here are my new test results.

This shows a few things:
Uncalibrated meters are indeed worthless.
My sand is good to go.
My first batch of rocks are good to go.

My second batch has risen slightly since yesterday so I'll check again in a few days.

I'm really relieved but also frustrated because I probably could have started cycling this tank a long time ago.

Thanks for everyone's input and help!

You're going to be trying to battle it the other way round now ;-)

Glad it's all good! Good luck!

 

[Darsh]

You're going to be trying to battle it the other way round now ;-)

Glad it's all good! Good luck!

Yea this whole time I was saying to myself "everyone else is trying to get them up" haha
Thanks!