Test strips are the most common way to test the pH levels of water. They’re easy to use and you can find them in most pool supply and pet shops, and even order them online from Amazon or Walmart.
However, the issue with test strips is that they’re not very accurate.
So, let’s take a look at some better alternatives and explain the importance of testing water’s pH levels.
Why Is the pH Level Important?
The pH level of water refers to the presence of hydrogen ions in water. To be more specific, the pH scale measures the ratio of two elements: hydrogen ions (H+) and hydroxide ions (OH-).
When these two elements are found in equal amounts, water has a neutral pH level of 7. Acidic water has a pH less than 7, and water with a pH level above 7 is alkaline.
While pure water is neutral, other types of drinking water might be more acidic or alkaline, depending on their content. Mineral water, for instance, is alkaline due to its high concentration of minerals.
That said, drinking water that’s too acidic or too alkaline isn’t good for your health. The ideal pH level for your drinking water and the water you use for your swimming pool, soil, and fish tank is 7.0 (this also depends on the type of fish you keep).
Using or drinking very alkaline water isn’t advised. While it doesn’t pose any serious health risks unless you have an underlying condition, such as kidney disease, the high pH can upset your stomach or lead to dry and itchy skin if you use it topically, especially in people with sensitive skin.
The pH value also affects the behavior of chemicals in the water. For example, chlorine becomes a more powerful disinfectant when it’s added to water with a low pH level.
The Issue With Testing Strips
Water testing strips are incredibly easy to use, which is one of the reasons they’re so popular. Unfortunately, they’re not precise, so they’re not ideal for testing the pH of your water.
A typical testing strip kit comes with a color grading scale and several colored strips. All you need to do to test the water is fill up a glass, dip a strip in the glass, and keep it there until it changes color.
Once the strip turns a certain color, match it to the color grading scale on the testing kit itself, and you’ll find the pH value associated with that color.
As we mentioned, this is super convenient, but the main problem is that it’s not all that accurate.
These tests can’t give decimal readings. So, if your water’s pH value is 6.5, you won’t be able to tell since the color value scale will show either 6 or 7. This might not seem like much of an issue, but properly adjusting your water’s pH value can make all the difference in whether your fish and plants thrive or die.
The pH value of your pool, on the other hand, doesn’t need to be as precise. So, if all you need to do is check the water before a swim, then testing strips are a good, affordable option.
As for drinking water, you’ll want to keep it between 6.5 and 7.5. Precise measurements are preferred, but you can still use the strips unless you need to control the precise water pH levels due to a medical condition.
How to Use a pH Meter
The pH meter is a small hand-held device with a digital display that accurately determines the alkalinity or acidity of your water.
Compared to testing strips, these devices require more preparation before use, but the precise readings are definitely worth it.
Before you test your water, you need to calibrate your pH meter. Each manufacturer has different settings and requirements. Yet, usually, you just need to punch a few codes into the digital display so the device can automatically start calibrating.
To double-check that it’s calibrated successfully, we recommend testing the meter in water with a known pH level. Reverse osmosis bottled water usually has a pH value on the label, so we suggest using that. If the reading on the label and the reading on the digital display align, you can be sure the meter is calibrated.
Here’s how to use a pH meter:
- First, fill a glass with the water you want to test.
- Then, place the meter in the glass and wait for a few seconds. The average waiting time is 10 to 20 seconds.
- The meter will either beep or start flashing to indicate that your reading has been calculated.
- Now, you just need to look at the display to see the pH level of the water.
pH Meter Issues
There are three reasons why people don’t use pH meters: price, accessibility, and maintenance.
pH meters usually cost around $60 – $80, whereas testing strips cost around $20 for a full package (~50 strips). The price isn’t that steep, especially since the device can be reused, while the strips are single-use.
However, most people don’t need to test their water frequently or very accurately. As a result, most will naturally gravitate toward the more cost-effective option.
Regarding accessibility, you can easily find a pH meter online, but they’re not as common in pool supply shops as testing strips. Again, this isn’t much of an issue, but it means you’ll have to wait a few days until the meter is delivered before you can test your water.
Still, the main reason why people avoid pH meters is maintenance.
The pH meter needs to be washed with double-deionized water before it can be reused. Double-deionized water isn’t that expensive, but you’ll need to make sure you have some every time you want to test your water.
The device also needs to be calibrated before every use, and the pH probe is very sensitive. These devices can be damaged or broken easily, even with very light pressure on the probe end. Therefore, you’ll need to be extra careful or you’ll end up with no readings or inaccurate ones.
Tips for Choosing a pH Meter
If you decide to buy a pH meter, there are a number of factors to consider beforehand. These include:
- Easy calibration: As mentioned, it’s vital that your pH meter is properly calibrated to get accurate results. So, choose a pH meter with easy-to-follow calibration instructions. If there are any issues, check out the manufacturer’s calibration solutions.
- Accuracy: Of course, the accuracy of the pH meter is the most important factor. Generally, an accuracy of +/-0.1 pH is enough for most households. Yet, if you’re testing water for things like reef aquariums or hydroponics, you’ll need a meter with better accuracy.
- Portability and durability: You should also consider how you plan to use the meter. If you need a device for long-term use, look for a meter with a durable build. If you want a meter you can use on the go, opt for a compact and lightweight design.
- Analog vs digital: We always recommend choosing digital meters as they’re more accurate and user-friendly than analog devices. However, if you’re on a tight budget, you might want to choose an analog meter instead, as they’re more affordable.
Water Testing Lab
We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the most reliable and accurate method you can use to test the pH value of your water – sending a sample to a water testing lab.
These professional facilities can test the water for you if you send them a water sample in a closed and sterile plastic container marked with the tests you want to be performed.
The readings you’ll receive from a professional lab are the most reliable and accurate. However, the price will also be higher than all the other methods we’ve mentioned.
Moreover, water testing labs are great for discovering potential contaminants in your water that regular testing kits can’t pick up. So, if you’re concerned about contaminants, a professional lab would be the perfect option. Yet, if you’re only looking for a pH level reading, this might not be the most sensible option.
Not only do these tests cost several hundred dollars, but they also take several days to process. Clearly, this isn’t a good option if you need frequent pH value checks for your garden or aquarium.
To be clear, using a water testing lab is, without a doubt, the most fool-proof method to determine your water’s pH value. However, the downsides far outweigh the upsides of repeated pH level testing.
Untrustworthy pH Level Testing Methods
There are several free or very cheap DIY methods used to determine the pH value of water that have become popular online. However, compared to testing kits, these DIY methods are more difficult to set up, provide less accurate readings, and can cost more money in the long run.
Some popular yet untrustworthy methods involve cabbage, dirt, and litmus paper. Here’s why you shouldn’t use them:
- The Cabbage Method: One of these popular DIY methods involves using cabbage to test the pH level of water. To do that, you chop up the cabbage, boil it, blend it, and strain it into a bowl. Then, you add some isopropyl alcohol to create an indicator solution for testing the water. After this, you soak a piece of paper in the water until the color changes. You take the paper out and leave it on a clean towel overnight. The next day, you cut up the paper to get your testing strips. This testing option takes a lot of time to set up and prepare, the materials are not cheap, and the reading is unreliable.
- The Blue Berries Method: Blueberries get their dark blue color from the chemical peonidin. This chemical is pH-sensitive, and when dipped in a solution, the anthocyanidins lose their color and show a darker appearance if the water is alkaline. One drawback of this method is that it can be difficult to differentiate between the different shades, making it untrustworthy.
- The Red Onion Method: This method is based on the fact that many vegetables contain sensitive anthocyanins, which can change color in the presence of alkaline and acidic substances. Red onions also contain such chemicals, and when dipped in water, they can become a pale red color if the water is too acidic and green if it’s too alkaline. This is a cheap and convenient method, but it’s very unreliable and imprecise. If successful, it may give a rough estimate of the pH level at best. But it doesn’t work unless the pH levels are too acidic or too alkaline, which is almost never the case with drinking water.
- The Litmus Paper Method: Another popular method for testing the pH level of water involves litmus paper. However, while this is cheaper than using testing strips, it’s less reliable since litmus paper only indicates if it’s alkaline or acidic without giving you a precise pH level.
In reality, there’s only one reliable method to test the pH value of your water yourself and with precision, and that’s by using a pH meter.
Conclusion
The pH meter is the best testing method for determining the pH level of your water. It’s a lot cheaper than a water testing lab, more accurate than a test strip, and you can use it repeatedly. The only real issue is the maintenance.
There are many DIY alternative testing methods for which you can easily find instructions online. However, we don’t recommend using them, as they don’t give accurate readings.
link to “Reverse Osmosis vs Distilled Water” when live
