PH problem

[Pizzapro83]

I just bought a pinpoint ph monitor. I calibrated it three weeks ago. My ph was always 7.93- 8.01 know all of a sudden it says the ph is 7.43. I checked with my othet test kit and matched the color on the card. It is where it is supposed to be. So my monitor must be reading wrong.My question is are the pinpoint accurate monitors? And how bad is it if my ph is really 7.43? And what can you do yo raise your ph? Thank you Frank

 

[roshi719]

Are you using the AC adapter with it or is it running off of battery power?

 

[Pizzapro83]

Battery

 

[roshi719]

First thing I would do then is put new batteries in it and re calibrate it. I know low batteries can affect how they read. Also look into getting the AC adapter for it. I would go from there. The only thing I can see lowering your pH to 7.4 would be months of no water change or a calcium Rx that isn't dialed in right.

 

[reefz3ro]

if you do need to raise ph i use Seachem Reef Buffer. its worked good for me

 

[Pizzapro83]

What causes your ph to lower or go higher. I have two tanks that run opposite times . The ph has never really moved. I will try to change the battery and hopefully that will be it.

 

[roshi719]

Fish and coral waste ie. ammonia is naturally acidic which will tend to lower the pH over time. Saltwater contains a large buffering system composed of a number of different salts. The largest part of this buffer system is in the form of alkalinity. This is what keeps the pH of the water up. Lower alk =lower buffering capacity = lower pH over time. Light schedule also affects pH. As photosynthesis occurs the ammount of carbon dioxide dissolved in the water (carbonic acid) drops, this in turn slightly raises the pH of the water. This is witnessed as the normal .2 or so pH shift from day to night. This cn be prevented though by having a refugium or another tank that runs the lights on an opposite schedule than the main tank.

HTH

 

[Pizzapro83]

Thank you for explaining that and thanks for the help