PH 9.0+

[harryclay]

My PH is too high. At 9.0+ it is way over 8.3 that it need to be. Anyone know how to get it down where it needs to be?

 

[esmithiii]

Is everything in your tank dead? If not, get a second test kit and double check th pH. Remember that pH is a logrithmic scale, not linear.

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[harryclay]

Water has been tested using three (3) different kits. I know that is not problem.

 

[MedicineMan1]

Have you checked your alkalinity? This provides a buffer to keep pH stable.
Check at your LFS for pH products. There's all kinds available to get your pH stable. Just remember to go slowly.

 

[EmilyB]

What are you adding as far as additives ? I doubt your pH is this high unless, as said, everything is dead.....

Get a good Salifert or others may suggest a favorite pH test kit.

Then, give some details as to what you are doing with your tank.

 

[Anonymous]

Well, my guess is something is interfering with the test, so see if you can get someone with a well-calibrated pH electrode to test the water. If it is really that basic, it is possible the fish etc could adapt to it, but it is best to bring it down slowly. Dilute acid, either HCl or an organic acid like acetic acid (pure white vinager) would work, but the trick again is to do this VERY slowly over a period of days. Take a little tank water out and experiment with how much you would have to add to a gallon to lower it say from 9.0 to 8.8.

An even safer way is to do daily large (say 25% to 30%) water changes until things stabilize. That is what I would do.

Also, check your test kits against salt water that you make up. Wait 24 hours until things equilibrate properly.