Hi

I am setting up my tropical tank and went to the shop today to buy plants. I took a sample of water and they said the pH was way too high at 8.5. They sold me some 'pH down' solution which I have now added. They also told me that the strips I use to test pH are not very accurate (I tested the pH and it looked OK).

I am now wondering whether to get a pH meter or whether to buy some liquid test solution. Is it worth investing in a pH meter for about £20?

Thanks.

That depends on how often you are going to use it. £20 is only about 3 liquid test kits so it's not that expensive

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Thanks I think I am leaning towards a meter.

My concerns are that liquid test kits seem to only operate within a narrow range and meters operate in the full range. Also are liquid test kits more accurate than strips? A liquid kit would last a long time.

I have a ph meter and I would advise against it. They are continually having to be recalibrated and the liquid tests are accurate enough for your needs. By the way I wouldn't bother with the ph down product it is pretty useless. Your fish are more effected by water hardness which is reflected in ph than they are by the actual ph, adding chemicals will not help. The best way to reduce your ph and at the same time soften your water is to cut it with RO water. Your other option is to buy fish that will thrive in you water conditions. Some of the African cichlids for example will do quite well in harder water.

Thanks for your replies. I ordered a cheap liquid test kit to see how I get on. The calibration issue sounds like it will end up costing more money in the long run.

I already used the pH down so there's nothing I can do about that now.

Your ph will rebound back to what it was very shortly. To have a long term drop in the ph you have to reduce the kh of the water, and the best way to do this is cut with RO as I said before.

How about keeping fish suited to your ph?Lake malawi cichlids love a high ph.
Fish bred locally will be used to it.Depends on availabilty.
Start titting about with ph is a losing battle Not to mention £££££
A ph test is something you will hardly use,once the tank is established.A liquid one is fine

I put the pH down in on Sunday and the pH is staying down at around the 7 mark (according to my test strips). I am waiting on the liquid kit to arrive.

How long would it usually take to 'bounce back'?

I am thinking about what fish to get so this is definitely a possibility. What puzzles me is that the pH in my other tank is neutral (and it is the same tap water).

I would wait until your test kits comes.The shops test could be wrong,what is your tap water ph? Use the strips, then test the other tanks too. (test tap water at room temperature)
When did you set the tank up.what size is it,what substrate do you have,and any rockwork?
Also,when you do a water change,you will need to keep adding this stuff,so it will work out expensive.Here is my lake malawi tank,sadly the minimum tank size for these is 3 ft