pH low??

[Nicholas Scelzi]

hey everyone hoping this wonderful community can help me figure this one out. New 55 gal Fowlr Tank. Used natures ocean live sand for substrate and half of the tank was filled using the nature’s ocean nutriseawater and the other half I used my own mixed saltwater ( using my Rodi filtered water and Red Sea brand salt - regular not the coral pro). My question is all my other parameters check out just fine , but I can’t figure out why my pH is only a 7.8-8 instead of between 8.2-8.4. All other Parameters measure perfectly fine. Didn’t do anything different than I ever do to mix my water etc.

1. Is a pH if 7.8-8.0 that big of a deal in just a Fowlr Tank? If so, how can I raise the pH? Never had this problem.

2 I am using an API test kit. Is it possible to have a reading that’s off with that kit?(never had problems with API in previous tanks)

3 is it possible that I went overboard by adding tap wAter conditioner trying to be extra cautious even though my water is Rodi filtered ?

Any help would be great

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Happy evening, hope all is well.

7.8 is fine. The ph will vary throughout the day a little bit. With Fish only the ph is not a major issue unless goes way low or way high. Once you get into coral you will want it more stable and start testing alk

Salifert is better, api is more of a starter, but again for fish only should be fine.

I always add prime into my Rodi water before I mix my salt. Just always been doing it that way. Doesn’t hurt anything and may help with fish slime coat.

 

[Nicholas Scelzi]

Only other thing I can think of is the tank is built into my wall with the only access to the tank being through a closet door (which I keep closed at all times unless doing maintenance due to the kids ). Is it possible with a closed off closet and the tank literally in a closed closet there isn’t enough aeration / oxygen and it’s a co2 problem? Would adding a Powerhead help? Currently the only water flow is from the output tube of my eheim 2228 canister filter rated for up to 160 gallons so should be plenty of flow)

 

[coryjac0b]

Are you running a protein skimmer? I have seen people pull fresh air from outside into the air inlet on their skimmer to help with low pH. A co2 scrubber is an option also if you think its a co2 problem.

 

[BestMomEver]

pH is something I struggle with constantly. Mine rarely goes above 8.1 and typically dips down to 7.7 or lower at night. I use a CO2 scrubber and it helps as I have no way of opening doors or running a line outside. I also use Red Sea salt but not the blue bucket... the pro bucket.

But... I will say that I’ve talked with some of the “big guys” in reefing and many of them don’t even check pH unless something looks off. They use dkh as a measure of overall tank health. I’ve been told zillions of times that chasing pH is fruitless and will make you crazy. Their right!