PH meter

[klc]

Does anyone have experience with PH meters? I'm interested in getting one that reads both PH and temperature. Any makes or models that work well? They're pricey so I don't want to buy one that's crappy. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

klc

[Bwhiskered]

I had a PH meter at one time and it was a Hanna. It worked ok for quite some time but I found the Wardley two drops in a tube was faster. Exact PH I never found was a necessity for spawning fish just so long as the water was soft and slightly acid. There are electronic themometers in the stores for about $12.00 that are good. For electronic water testers may I recommend Labtek. Look them up on Aquabid under Test KIts. Bringing them in from the states is usually cheaper than buying them here. Just add 30% to the product and shipping cost and that will be your Canadian landed price. At least very close.

[klc]

Thanks. I have discus in my larger tank so ph is always an issue after a water change. The meters look like an easy out. If I don't buy a meter, I'll just buy more plecos (but I'll likely do that anyway).

[steve-o]

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[Bwhiskered]

Thanks. I have discus in my larger tank so ph is always an issue after a water change. The meters look like an easy out. If I don't buy a meter, I'll just buy more plecos (but I'll likely do that anyway).

You don't give your location so I don't know what water you might be drawing from. My water is Lake Ontario tap water. My discus live in it and spawn in it. I have found that the less you screw around with PH the better off they are. Hardness is more important. The discus eggs were removed and artficially raised in soft slightly acid water. The only time I worry with PH is when I'm spawning Neons or cardinal tetras or some other fussy fish. The rest of the time they are in regular hard alkaline water.

[klc]

I live in Mississauga so the tap water is out of Lake Ontario. I've noticed real ph swings after a water change, up to 7.4. I try to maintain 6.8. I've never had to buffer because hardness is OK. The tank contains aquarium gravel, blue slate, lace rock and wood. Maybe I'm being too picky but we suffered a huge die off a year ago due to some ledgerock being in one tank. Once bit, twice shy!

[Bwhiskered]

Your best to leave the PH alone. All Great Lakes water has a buffer. You can make it acid today and in three days it will be alkaline again. There is no real problem going from alkaline to acid unless it is very extreme. But going from acid to alkaline can cause PH shock or even just do harm to their slime coat.

[klc]

I appreciate the tip. I'll back off on the softening and see how it goes.