Battling Low PH - Help

[paulsvang]

Okay so I've been battling this low pH issue. I've done water changes twice already with about 20% water change. I'd like for my pH to be around 8.2 if possible. Here are my stats

ph 7.5
Ca 580 (kind of high)
dKH 9
Nitrate 0
Phosphate .25

I thought it may be high in co2 so I've connected a tube to my skimmer and ran it outside for the past two days. My pH is now at 7.8 however it's still low.

I bought some Kalk and was wondering if I should dose it slowly. My concern is that Ca and dKH is be super high but the pH may just be at like 7.9 or 8.0.

 

[anthonywesty]

I run my tank with a ph between 7.8 and 8.0 and everything is good.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Have you looked at this?
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/

 

[cginter]

Just wondering what test kits your using to get those numbers and at what time of day do you test for PH

 

[cginter]

And definitely do not add alkalinity to chase PH. That's a big no no.

 

[paulsvang]

I'll take a look at the link but that will take some time to absorb.

 

[paulsvang]

I test pH throughout the day and pretty much the same. 7.5-7.6 until recently when I put the air tube from the skimmer outside. It's now at 7.8. I'll let it go for another few days to see what it does. I'm wondering if it has something to do the the new salt I just bought which is Instant Ocean. I'm going to mix a new batch of water and measure that. Whats weird is that the tank in the garage is about 7.8 in which I'm thinking the salt mix is at 7.8.

 

[surfnsalt]

What test kit r u using? I used api and was getting a false reading and playing a guessing game with colors. Got a ph meter. I thought my ph was 7.8 or 8.0 at 4pm everyday and really it was 8.2 to 8.3.

 

[paulsvang]

I'm using a pin point meter for the ph. For the other parameters, I'm using the api.

 

[paulsvang]

I'm wondering if the salt brand has something to do with this. When I was using seachem, my fresh salt mix would be 8.2 on the dot. With this new Instant ocean brand that I'm using, fresh mix is at 7.8.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Okay so I've been battling this low pH issue. I've done water changes twice already with about 20% water change. I'd like for my pH to be around 8.2 if possible. Here are my stats

ph 7.5
Ca 580 (kind of high)
dKH 9
Nitrate 0
Phosphate .25

I thought it may be high in co2 so I've connected a tube to my skimmer and ran it outside for the past two days. My pH is now at 7.8 however it's still low.

I bought some Kalk and was wondering if I should dose it slowly. My concern is that Ca and dKH is be super high but the pH may just be at like 7.9 or 8.0.

Water changes are never a solution to low pH. Salt brands also have no impact except via alkalinity. IO is also a fine brand (its what I use).

pH is determined mathematically by the alkalinity and the CO2 level in the water, and the CO2 in the water often mirrors CO2 levels in your home air.

pH 7.5 is uncommonly low and is most likely testing error. When and dhow did you last calibrate the pH meter?

 

[paulsvang]

I calibrated the ph meter about a month ago just to make sure. I even tested the water from my local part store which read 8.2 so I'm confident that my ph meter is accurate. I guess I can buy some new ph solution to recalibrate it. Maybe the solution is too old.

 

[Wilsoni]

Keep a window cracked open

 

[paulsvang]

Wilsoni, it's too cold for that. Lol. I Also have the skimmer pulling air from outside. Is that not good enough?

 

[Wilsoni]

Wilsoni, it's too cold for that. Lol. I Also have the skimmer pulling air from outside. Is that not good enough?

Sorry I skimmed past that in your post. It should be beneficial yes. Unfortunately I have no input on adding kalk to keep your PH up. Are you currently dosing 2-part or anything to maintain your parameters?

 

[beaslbob]

if it turns out to not be a testing error, and you have that pH just before lights out, I would add macro algae or an ats. The algae consuming the co2 will raise the pH very rapidly.

my .02

 

[paulsvang]

Wilsoni

I don't use Kalk or 2 part right now I just do water changes. Would high ammonia or nitrite/ nitrate cause this?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I calibrated the ph meter about a month ago just to make sure. I even tested the water from my local part store which read 8.2 so I'm confident that my ph meter is accurate. I guess I can buy some new ph solution to recalibrate it. Maybe the solution is too old.

Could be, but I'd recalibrate now with the fluids (7 and 10) and check them after calibrating.

Usually, old fluids lead to high pH error from CO2 entering them.

 

[paulsvang]

Bealsbob

I have macro algae in the dump with the lights on overnight.

 

[beaslbob]

Bealsbob

I have macro algae in the dump with the lights on overnight.

perhaps you need more.
again that's based upon it not being a testing error.

Just outta curiosity what does the api high range test kit report?

FWIW I had similar pH when I first started my old 55g. I use baking soda and ph would rise then drop down in a few days. (I didn't know about the three part back in those days so I should have checked alk also).
then I found out about macro algae and this old planted FW tank guy gave it a try. PH rose to over 8 in a couple of days and to 8.4-8.8 (api purple high range) and stayed there for years.
Meanwhile a yellow tang that had white spots lost them and tripled in size the next year or two.
If you get enough plant life in there the tank will become a net consumer of co2 and producer of oxygen.

But that's just my experience and worth at most .02

j/k I hope the "dump" is somehow connected to your tank.