Alk and PH Low After Cycle

[Blu-J]

I just cycled my tank and added my pair of clowns.

PH was at 7.7 and alk was 6. I did a 20G water change in the 110G System and ph is now 8 and alk is still 6.

Salinity 1.025 / Phosphates .04 / Nitrates 8.9

Should I be dosing sodium bicarbonate to raise it?

Thanks for all

 

[lapin]

Does your water have low alk?
New tanks will be all over the place until they settle in. In your case you don’t have to worry about corals so you’re good.

 

[Blu-J]

Does your water have low alk?
New tanks will be all over the place until they settle in. In your case you don’t have to worry about corals so you’re good.

Thanks for the response. I should check my alk of my ro water? Or the mixed after adding salt?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Yes, I’d boost the alk.

 

[lapin]

Both

 

[Blu-J]

Yes, I’d boost the alk.

Sodium bicarbonate or a buffer product?

Both

Will the hanna checker work on fresh water?

 

[Naekuh]

Soda Ash = pH + Alk boost.
Baking Soda = Alk boost...

 

[nereefpat]

There's no reason to test your RO water. It will have zero alk. Test the makeup water if you want. Different salts will have different alk. None should mix up to 6 dKH unless the salinity is too low. As hinted at, the conversion of ammonia to nitrite and nitrate consumes alk.

Sodium bicarbonate or a buffer product?

They will have the same effect. "Buffer" products are often a mix of sodium bicarb and sodium carbonate.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

In the long run it won’t matter too much what you use when alk demand is not ongoing.

 

[Blu-J]

In the long run it won’t matter too much what you use when alk demand is not ongoing.

I’ll eventually add corals but will probably stable after the cycle is completely stable I guess I’m still early on

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’ll eventually add corals but will probably stable after the cycle is completely stable I guess I’m still early on

The pH effect difference of different alk additives will be gone in a day or two. I’d just use baking soda since you likely already have some for cooking.

 

[Blu-J]

The pH effect difference of different alk additives will be gone in a day or two. I’d just use baking soda since you likely already have some for cooking.

Will do!! Is there a chart or ratio to go by?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Will do!! Is there a chart or ratio to go by?

Sure:

Reef Chemistry Calculator

 

[Blu-J]

Sure:

Reef Chemistry Calculator

Thank you!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

You're welcome.

Happy Reefing.