Help me fix PH

[WrasseMan89]

So I started a fishless cycle 3 days ago. I dosed to 2ppm ammonia then threw in microbacter start xlm. Tested today and it seems to be moving along slowly. I tested my PH and it's coming back 7.5, what the heck? So I test dkh and it's at 8.3 which is fine. I adjusted my powerhead to give me greater surface agitation thinking that might help. I have a comline 9004 HOB skimmer but it's not running ATM due to cycling the tank. Is this normal? I don't wanna be dosing anything right now but I can't do a co2 scrubber or anything since I don't have a sump. Being new I'm chasing ideal parameters so maybe that's my problem but I still think 7.5 is awfully low.

 

[doubleshot00]

I wouldn’t be worried about ph till i add coral. But your ph will come up once you turn the skimmer on and start dosing.

 

[Snowxcross]

Dont worry about PH during your cycle, you have nothing in the tank. 7.5 is on the low side when your tank has corals in it.

 

[twentyleagues]

Depending of the co2 content of the room its in it may not rise but probably will. Atm I wouldnt worry too much.

 

[WrasseMan89]

Depending of the co2 content of the room its in it may not rise but probably will. Atm I wouldnt worry too much.

Yea I might be wishfull thinking but fingers crossed it comes up.

 

[twentyleagues]

Yea I might be wishfull thinking but fingers crossed it comes up.

I just ordered a co2 monitor/tester. I am having some issues that I dont have straight answers for so I'm trying to rule this out. Figured it'll be good to know anyway.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

How are you measuring pH?

 

[WrasseMan89]

How are you measuring pH?

I have a digital meter. I calibrated it again to make sure and it's the same reading so I'm guessing it's accurate.im going to have my LFS test it when I end my cycle just to be sure

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I have a digital meter. I calibrated it again to make sure and it's the same reading so I'm guessing it's accurate.im going to have my LFS test it when I end my cycle just to be sure

I’m guessing the pH 7.5 is still not accurate, but I’d ignore pH until you add any hard corals.

 

[WrasseMan89]

I’m guessing the pH 7.5 is still not accurate, but I’d ignore pH until you add any hard corals.

Thanks! I'm hoping it might level out down the line by the time I am ready for corals but if not I will cross that bridge when I get there.