Low PH and raise Nitrate

[tb582]

Noticed that my cleaner shrimp isn’t as lively and struggling a bit in the water… my tests are

ph <=7.4
Ammonia 0
Nitrite .25
Nitrate 50ppm

how do I raise the ph slightly and lower the nitrate?

 

[Dburr1014]

Noticed that my cleaner shrimp isn’t as lively and struggling a bit in the water… my tests are

ph <=7.4
Ammonia 0
Nitrite .25
Nitrate 50ppm

how do I raise the ph slightly and lower the nitrate?

Water change can lower the nitrate.

PH is more to it.
You use a skimmer? Do you have air to the outside for the skimmer? Do you have any air Exchange in the house? Is your house built really tight?

 

[tb582]

I do not use a skimmer - I got a fx4 filter and a separate UV filter

 

[C_AWOL]

I didn't think pH could drop that low in a marine tank with sand/+calcium carbonate based rock in it. What are you using to test the pH? Regardless though, additional surface agitation/exposure to fresh air+open lid (if safe to do) should greatly help.

 

[Pistondog]

High co2 in the air is a major reason for low ph.

 

[Mr. Gonzalez]

I know this thread is old but I'm having similar issues. My ph measured 7.0 still battling gha but doing weekly water changes has helped. Only thing I need to do is bring up ph. Was think of dosing to bring up my ph. Even have quite a few house plants and thought that would have helped.

 

[jda]

Don't sweat pH yet. pH is mostly a measure of co2 in your home, but your co2 will bump once you get some photosynthetic stuff growing... it bump about .22, or so. If you want to worry about pH, then get a digital meter or pen to measure it - no color changing test kits. Seriously, it does not matter.

Nitrite interferes with nitrate test kits. Don't sweat nitrate for a few more weeks or until the nitrite is down to next to nothing.