Ph low...

ParkerK · May 28, 2020

Ok so I measured water parameters today and noticed my PH was a little low. Any ways I can bring this up? I have 2 clowns and this leather. I don’t want to lose any of these so hopefully there’s something I can do! Fairly new tank as well so it may be because of that.

andrewey · May 28, 2020

How low is low? In 99% of cases, I don't advise chasing a pH number and wouldn't try to increase it.

Silver14SS · May 28, 2020

What is the pH and what do you want it to be?

Crabs McJones · May 28, 2020

Couple things you can do to up PH. Some simple things would be to open a window, allow more fresh air in. Another would be to up your surface agitation to promote more gas exchange, simply point a powerhead more towards the surface.
How low was it going?

ParkerK · May 28, 2020

andrewey said:
How low is low? In 99% of cases, I don't advise chasing a pH number and wouldn't try to increase it.

7.5...

Retro Reefer · May 28, 2020

what is your PH and how are you testing? My advice would be to just ignore that parameter for now and definitely don't try to chase values by making adjustments to your tank.. water changes and proper tank maintenance will help keep it in range and stable. You can also do things like open your windows in your home to help nudge your values up.

ParkerK · May 28, 2020

Crabs McJones said:
Couple things you can do to up PH. Some simple things would be to open a window, allow more fresh air in. Another would be to up your surface agitation to promote more gas exchange, simply point a powerhead more towards the surface.
How low was it going?

I have one of my flow makers pointing at the top to make sure gas exchanges but talked to a buddy of mine and said the same thing about opening a window. Hopefully that works!!

andrewey · May 28, 2020

What are you using to test it? While 7.5 is a bit low, my money is on the test being bad- which is almost always what is causing a reading of 7.5 in most home aquariums.

andrewey · May 28, 2020

For example, I have three separate calibrated ph probes running in my aquarium (long story) all reading within .08 of each other and my pH right now is around 8.51. The last time I used API to test my pH, it suggested I was at 7.8

TonyD1988 · May 28, 2020

Mines always 7.5-7.6 in a 300 gallon FOWLR tank. The probe is new and calibrated. Not chasing it though, like others have said. Fish are perfectly fine though.

fishguy242 · May 28, 2020

just a comment ,check ph at same time of day ,every time you check,fluctuates up and down throughout the day ,without all the exp toys

Miller535 · May 28, 2020

Another method is if you have a skimmer to run the air intake line outside of your house so that it pulls in fresh air.

Nick82187 · May 28, 2020

Certain salt mixes also have different parameters which could affect PH, if you switch salt mixes you may see an increase, but it would probably be temporary unless you are doing water changes often

Birddog61 · May 28, 2020

Testing your mixed water for water changes and comparing to advertised values of salt mix will reveal test kit deviation

ParkerK · May 28, 2020

andrewey said:
What are you using to test it? While 7.5 is a bit low, my money is on the test being bad- which is almost always what is causing a reading of 7.5 in most home aquariums.

Yeah I have some API test strips

ParkerK · May 28, 2020

Nick82187 said:
Certain salt mixes also have different parameters which could affect PH, if you switch salt mixes you may see an increase, but it would probably be temporary unless you are doing water changes often

Haven’t done a water change in a few days, and I am using the premade water from my LFS.

Birddog61 · May 28, 2020

ParkerK said:
Haven’t done a water change in a few days, and I am using the premade water from my LFS.

Often times premixed from lfs. Is mixed to the bare minimum 1.o22 to 1.o23. Less salt per gallon sold. Equals 10 to 20 % more profit over 1.026. And ph runs lower when mixed at minimums. In the long run an rodi and mixing your owne will save you a little bit over a years time and offer better parameters. All while providing better accessibility to much needed water for emergencies

Randy Holmes-Farley · May 28, 2020

ParkerK said:
7.5...

That is probably inaccurate unless you aeration is very poor or the house has a super high CO2 level.

Randy Holmes-Farley · May 28, 2020

ParkerK said:
Yeah I have some API test strips

I'd ignore pH for now. It is a more advanced thing to worry about, and a pH meter is the way to go if you do want to measure it.

ParkerK · May 28, 2020

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
I'd ignore pH for now. It is a more advanced thing to worry about, and a pH meter is the way to go if you do want to measure it.

We’re all good now!! Thanks!