My Ph is to low, how do i raise it?

[mochaclownlover]

I just set the tank up 4 days ago. I tested the water and everything was fine except for the Ph. This tank is going to be a frag tank for nems so i need water quality to be perfect. Here is what i got.

nitrate: 0 pm

nitrite:0 pm

ammonia:0 pm

High range Ph: 7.8
Tried adding Marine Buffer yesterday, but no changes
Can someone help me out?

 

[jsker]

Fresh air. We live in a lock up house all spring, summer, and most of the fall. I turned up my ceiling fan to high and my PH went up. From what I was told at my LFS 7.8 is not a bad. Air stone and have the pump located outside.

 

[Downbeach]

I wouldn't chase the pH, all the buffer will do is have a temporary increase, then once the tank reaches equilibrium with the surrounding CO2 in the household atmosphere, the pH will go back down and leave you with elevated levels of alkalinity. And, unless you have a calibrated metering device, i.e. pinpoint, your pH probably isn't what you think it is. Make sure your skimmer is in good working order, and you're getting a good gas exchange. If you still want to increase the pH, open some window's or run a piece of 1/2" flexible tubing to an outside air source. BTW a pH of 7.8 isn't all that bad, I successfully ran a 180 gal mixed reef with a range of 7.8 AM to 8.1 PM.

 

[cginter]

+1 Fresh air. If your tank is in a basement or if your house is sealed tight because u have the air on, try bringing in fresh air to your tank or the room the tank is in.

 

[cginter]

I have that problem if I leave the house sealed up for more than a couple days. It'll drop to 7.8 ish. But with the windows open or fresh air is brought in, it'll jump back up to 8.2 ish

 

[djtripoalo]

Yup +1 on air. Protein skimmers are great keeping your ph up. I accidentally unplugged my for a couple days and watched my ph drop dramatically till I realized it was unplugged still lol

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I agree. Stop the buffer and measure alkalinity. The buffer is an alkalinity additive.

These have more:

Optimal Parameters for a Coral Reef Aquarium: By Randy Holmes-Farley
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/optimal-parameters-for-a-coral-reef-aquarium-by-randy-holmes-farley.173563

The “How To” Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners Part 3: pH by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-05/rhf/index.php

Low pH: Causes and Cures by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.htm

 

[Cory]

Low ph doesnt mean low buffering capacity always. If your alkalinity is between 7dkh to 11dkh i wouldnt worry about ph.

Ph being low with a normal alklainity (7-11) will be mostly from co2 gas in the room from people breathing. Opening a window will help the ph rise higher.

 

[Lonely reefer's]

My ph only 7.88 for years when light is off.All my fish,corals,nem all in perfected health

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Most corals do OK at pH 7.88, but many hard corals will grow faster at higher pH.