How to Read a pH Balance Test

One of the tasks that you need to perform to maintain your aquarium is monitoring the pH of the water. This will tell you if the water is acidic, alkaline or neutral. There are many instruments you can use to determine the pH. Test strips, for example, change to different colors depending on the pH of the water. Chemical reagent tests will change color as well. Test strip and reagent color results are matched to color chart to reveal the pH level. On the other hand, digital pH meters will display an actual number to indicate pH levels. Whichever method you choose, reading and understanding the results should not be difficult.

Things You'll Need

  • pH meter
  • pH testing strips
  • pH chemical test kit
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Instructions

  1. Reagent/Strip Test Kits

    • 1

      Take a water sample and perform the pH test as per the instructions that came with your kit. For reagent kits, this involves adding a chemical to the water sample and waiting for the color to turn. For test strips, the strip is dipped in a water sample and the color of the strip gradually changes. Wait the full amount of recommended time for the color results to show.

    • 2

      Locate the color chart that comes with both types of kits. Such charts will show a variety of colors that correspond to pH numbers.

    • 3

      Hold the test strip or chemical reagent test tube next to the color chart and look for the best match. When you find the match, read the number associated with it on the color chart; this number will be the pH of the water you have tested. A pH scale runs from 0 to 14; neutral (pure water) is at 7, while 1 through 6 is acidic, and 8 through 14 is alkaline.

    Digital pH Meter

    • 4

      Turn the meter on. A digital readout should appear. Make sure the meter has fresh batteries and is properly calibrated (see owner's manual).

    • 5

      Place the probes (located on the bottome of the meter) in the water sample. The number in the LED readout will change to incidate the pH level. Do not read prematurely. Be sure to give the meter the full amount of time recommended by the instructions that came with it, otherwise the reading may not be accurate.

    • 6

      Note the number indicated on the digital display after enough time has lapsed. It will indicate the precise pH level of the water sample (between 0 and 14 with 7 being neutral).