Ph 7.4-7.6 a worry

[jopo4343]

Hi
my month old Red Sea e170 tank is keeping its ph at 7.4-7.6 via my apex.
alk is 8.9
cal is 460
temp 77.8-78.3
Should I worry about raising this or not?
If so how?

 

[Jekyl]

Surface agitation, protein skimmer, open some windows

 

[jopo4343]

I did start some surface agitation. When it is warmer than the current 29 here in Indiana windows will open!

 

[Garf]

I would triple check your method of pH measurement.

 

[arking_mark]

Hi
my month old Red Sea e170 tank is keeping its ph at 7.4-7.6 via my apex.
alk is 8.9
cal is 460
temp 77.8-78.3
Should I worry about raising this or not?
If so how?

I'd recalibrate your probe. Readings don't pass the sniff test unless your tank has poor aeration.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I agree on calibration of probe which may be offering a false reading BEFORE reacting or making changes.
You can also take a water sample to a trusted LFS and have them test for you.

 

[jopo4343]

Ok here is what I did.
1) recalibrated it was still low
2) disabled the probe in apex - the enabled it...now reading 8.1
confused a little

 

[Garf]

Ok here is what I did.
1) recalibrated it was still low
2) disabled the probe in apex - the enabled it...now reading 8.1
confused a little

Sit back, take a breathe. Your pH measurement is wayward.

 

[jopo4343]

Ok now it went down to 7.56?????

 

[stanleo]

I love my Apex. But I don't trust it implicitly. I have other methods of testing. I would get a gook pH test and check it against that before you do anything.

 

[arking_mark]

Ok now it went down to 7.56?????

Been there, done that. I had a temp probe that drove me nuts until I figured the issue was with the probe.

 

[jopo4343]

What do you recommend to check the ph with what test maker or ?

 

[dvgyfresh]

I know people hate on API but their PH test kit works pretty well for me , you can do it 3 times in a row quickly and you’ll see yr average

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

What do you recommend to check the ph with what test maker or ?

Most brands work well, but for some reason, aquarium controllers seem to have issues with pH and salinity measurement. Perhaps because both need temperature corrections, and the temp probe is often not in the same solution as the pH probe (like for calibration).

IMO, if pH 7.4 is accurate, it is a concern and I'd raise it.

 

[howaboutme]

ph is often lower in new tanks because of how the nitrogen cycle works. Read up on it. You're fine at this stage.

Doesn't hurt to do some of the other measures like agitation, etc but don't worry right now.

 

[jopo4343]

Thanks for all the help
I have the Hanna ph checker on the way will make sure before reacting.
I have the thought that it’s just a new tank still settling in So probably not going to worry as everything else seems good.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

FWIW, those spikes are not a settling issue, but I agree that waiting and watching is a fine plan.

 

[Rmckoy]

I did start some surface agitation. When it is warmer than the current 29 here in Indiana windows will open!

Even so much as opening , closing walking in and out .
kids going outside , letting the dog out for a pee .
These are all things that allow fresh air in and c02 out .
I crack my door every so often . Even in Canada
I leave my bedroom window open a few inches all year .
a little fresh air never hurt anyone .

 

[jopo4343]

Here goes
reading off hanna ph checker is 7.8
reading off apex is 7.65
So I assume the apex probe is off
ran the Hanna test two times ...really simple to do.
I tried recalibrating the apex both manual and automatic and it still read
7.65.

 

[jopo4343]

Hi
I have a theory on my low ph.
Could it be caused by my well water having high amount of CO2?
I have read that with well water high CO2 will cause di resin to be used quicker and that would be my rodi system I have used my DI resin faster.
If it is high CO2 could running an air stone in my rodi water for water changes help?
I did notice from the graphs on my apex that Sunday nights after a water change Sunday morning is when it bottoms out. Last week by Wednesday it was up to 7.95 tonight down to 7.5.
What do you think?
Joe