Ph help

Randy Holmes-Farley · Feb 28, 2016

jpontier212 said:
When i top off I'm using purified RO water from the dispenser at Publix. Could this be keeping my PH low

The answer to that specific question is absolutely not. Never bother measuring the pH of your pure top off fresh water. You do not have the ability to do so accurately, and it doesn't matter what it actually is. It is NEVER the cause of low pH.

jpontier212 · Feb 28, 2016

Diesel said:
What kind of salt do you use?
What is your ALK#
Po4 really at 7.0??
What kind of light do you run?

My lighting is an Ebay led reef lighting. Not very expensive. It was like $40. Tank looks decent in white or blue setting. But it's been off or on the blue setting the whole cycle so far.

jpontier212 · Feb 28, 2016

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
The answer to that specific question is absolutely not. Never bother measuring the pH of your pure top off fresh water. You do not have the ability to do so accurately, and it doesn't matter what it actually is. It is NEVER the cause of low pH.

Not even if there's a fire? Lol [HASHTAG]#stepbrothers[/HASHTAG]

Randy Holmes-Farley · Feb 28, 2016

jpontier212 said:
Not even if there's a fire? Lol [HASHTAG]#stepbrothers[/HASHTAG]

Sorry, I'm not getting the reference, but I'm sure it is hilarious.

jpontier212 · Feb 28, 2016

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Sorry, I'm not getting the reference, but I'm sure it is hilarious.

IYO is the API saltwater master testing kit a good one? Or what brand would you recommend?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Feb 28, 2016

jpontier212 said:
IYO is the API saltwater master testing kit a good one? Or what brand would you recommend?

I do not generally recommend master kits because they have kits that are of little value (like nitrite and pH). You need not ever bother measuring nitrite and will not likely see any after the initial cycle anyway. pH is much better measured with a meter, and many people do not bother measuring it either.

jpontier212 · Feb 28, 2016

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
I do not generally recommend master kits because they have kits that are of little value (like nitrite and pH). You need not ever bother measuring nitrite and will not likely see any after the initial cycle anyway. pH is much better measured with a meter, and many people do not bother measuring it either.

So an individual kit for Nitrate, Ammonia, Ph ? What about Cal, Alk, Mg and Phos?

jpontier212 · Feb 28, 2016

Or what kind of meter?

Diesel · Feb 28, 2016

jpontier212 said:
I have yet to buy the first grain of salt. I buy salt and Ro water for to off and my parameters are tested by my LFS. I have yet to purchase my own test kit. API maybe? What would you recommend? My Alk is 6 DKH.

ALK and Phosphate low range by Hanna.
CAL, MAG, No3 by Redsea.
PH get a digital tester.
Salt get a refracto meter.

Diesel · Feb 28, 2016

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Sorry, I'm not getting the reference, but I'm sure it is hilarious.

LOL, Randy.
I guess 911 is a # too but only with a fire and not related to the topic.

jpontier212 · Feb 28, 2016

Diesel said:
LOL, Randy.
I guess 911 is a # too but only with a fire and not related to the topic.

Thanks diesel. I appreciate it. Going on ebay right now to see what i can find

Diesel · Feb 28, 2016

I think with a low PH and ALK your SG isn't at 1.024 but IMO lower too.
How did you test or did your LFS test?
If so what did they used to test it?

jpontier212 · Feb 28, 2016

Diesel said:
I think with a low PH and ALK your SG isn't at 1.024 but IMO lower too.
How did you test or did your LFS test?
If so what did they used to test it?

LFS tested. They used a refracto meter for the salinity and i believe they used an API testing kit at the store. Nothing digital was used at all