pH problems

[kemper6120]

OK guys i tested the aquarium again this morning..
pH - 7.6
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 2
Salinity - 1.026

how do i get it to rise? its been low, around 7.8, since i set the aquarium up but now its dropped.. what do i do?

 

[angrycubano]

When you tested it, were the lights on? Usually PH drops due to lack of photosynthesis in the dark. If this is the case, I recommend that you run alternate photo periods in your sump as opposed to your DT. This will maintain constant photosynthesis and keep your PH constant. Try that and see what happens to your PH. Also if you're dosing ALK, Cal, etc. this will have an effect on PH.

 

[kemper6120]

Yea lights are on in the DT. and as of right now im not dosing anything

 

[LeoLionFish]

How are you testing pH?? If using a probe, have you calibrated it? If you know your testing is solid you can use pH buffers (baking soda) to raise and maintain your pH.

 

[Dowtish]

Probably an API test kit or something similar. Not that these are all bad, but they can be hard to read sometimes. You can use a buffer to raise your ph, but also, dont get too wrapped up in chasing a number. My tank runs at about 7-8-7.9 and always has. I have read some horror stories of people stressing on a low number and trying to raise it to 8.2, and by doing so, they raise it too fast and you run into livestock problems. So if you can get it to 7.8 and it is stable, then dont stress it.

You can buy ph buffers at petco/petsmart etc.

 

[ibbennyb]

you need to test

calcium
alk
and mag.

as all three of them can effect your ph if there is an imbalance

test above and reply with result and we can give a better solution

 

[Downbeach]

If you house has been closed up, it is probably a result of elevated levels of CO2 in the atmosphere. Is your skimmer in good working order? Do you have glass covers on the tank? Try opening some windows and check it again in a day or two. Remember to check it at the same time of day each time you check it, since a swing in pH is normal throughout the day. If you find that it's not a gas exchange issue, I'd start with adding some kalkwasser to your top off, about 1tsp. per gallon of RO/DI water.
Are you running a Ca reactor? That's another possibility.

 

[Dowtish]

The tank is new. No corals yet, so he is not dosing. His skimmer works well. You should definitely open some windows.

Typed from my phone, because I have nothing better to do.

 

[gmoney243]

Adding kalk will also raise alk and calc and with no demand he doest really wana do that.

Sent from my Vortex using Tapatalk 2

 

[pickupman66]

if the PH and ALK are low, you need to dose some Pickling lime or CA.

biggest thing is to check teh ALK. dont sweat the PH unless it is swinging wildly on a daily basis. I have seen some super reef tanks in that range. you can also boost ph with more oxygen in the water too.


Stability is the biggest key in regards to PH and Alkalinity. keep the ALK stable in the proper range and PH will follow suit.

 

[kemper6120]

Yea its probably from being in my apt where we really dont open the window/sliding door much cuz ppl look in at you like your doing something wrong in your own place lol but i will open it up.. I have been using Rea Sea test kits from AC so far but i do not have any kits for Alk Mag or Cal.. I will pick some up as soon as i go to AC... As for the pH being stable. This is the first time i have tested it and it has been below 7.8. Its been stable so i wont stress then.

 

[ironworker]

i dont own a ph test of any kind i havnt tested mine in over a year. i only worry about alk calc and mag i keep those stable and my ph is what it is. this may not be a good practice though.

 

[Zoacoral]

My PH was low as well, It was due to elevated CO2 in the room. I ran a airhose from my skimmer to outside, and it seems to hold pretty stead at 7.9, and goes up to 8.1

 

[rako1]

I also have always had a low ph problem more in the winter when the house is closed up then summer you can use a ph buffer (Kent PH buffer) but you need to know what your alk is because it will also rise when used, if it is low then buff, also keep an eye on your cal level, these two things are something to always watch and dose when needed. My ph usually runs 7.7 to 8.1 and everything does fine. I also made a co2 scrubber and hooked it up to my skimmer intake, it helps some in the winter when the house is closed up and more co2 is built up in the air. don't chase around ph #'s to much just worry about the other levels alk, cal and mag,

 

[NanaReefer]

Ph worries are over rated 7.8 isn't bad at all.

 

[ibbennyb]

Ph worries are over rated 7.8 isn't bad at all.

ahh it can be very bad for fish as low ph can cause fish eyes to burn.. i had issue with it while back and was due to low ph.. luckily they got better.. so i use a co2 scrubber to keep ph up and less swings..

 

[kemper6120]

Whats a pH scrubber?

 

[rako1]

it is a di canister that you use co2 absorbent in and hook it up to your intake on your skimmer i got every thing from bulk reef supply the media is a little expensive but what isn't in saltwater lol