pH questions

sharkbait-nemo · Jul 7, 2016

I'm currently a koi pond keeper, but I'm thinking I may add on a reef tank a few years down the line, so I'm currently stocking up on as much information as possible. I'm a little confused about how pH gets to the right level. If it goes through the RO/DI filter, it comes out at 7, right? But the ideal range is 8.0-8.3....so what makes it go up? Also what do you do if the pH range fluctuates? I'm guessing the answer isn't to add product like you would with a koi pond? Thanks in advance!

Anirban · Jul 7, 2016

This will help you....

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-05/rhf/index.php

twilliard · Jul 7, 2016

sharkbait-nemo said:
I'm currently a koi pond keeper, but I'm thinking I may add on a reef tank a few years down the line, so I'm currently stocking up on as much information as possible. I'm a little confused about how pH gets to the right level. If it goes through the RO/DI filter, it comes out at 7, right? But the ideal range is 8.0-8.3....so what makes it go up? Also what do you do if the pH range fluctuates? I'm guessing the answer isn't to add product like you would with a koi pond? Thanks in advance!

It's the salt you mix that brings all the elements to proper levels

sharkbait-nemo · Jul 7, 2016

Thank you very much! I was wondering if that could be it, but couldn't find it in simple terms.

twilliard · Jul 7, 2016

Oh and welcome to the R2R community!

sharkbait-nemo · Jul 7, 2016

Thanks!

happyhourhero · Jul 7, 2016

When you do take the plunge, I urge you to not chase around PH much. Get a good quality salt mix and keep up with regular water changes and dont worry much about it. I see lots of people getting into trouble by adding buffers and a bunch of chems early on when their tank would have been fine if they left it alone and kept it stable. I have not even checked my ph in 8 or 9 months. I drip kalk and do the same maintenance every week so I know it shouldnt change much.

sharkbait-nemo · Jul 7, 2016

How often are water changes recommended? I read somewhere that it's only 25% once a month, but that seems low!

happyhourhero · Jul 7, 2016

I do 1 5 gallon bucket once a week. My system has 75 gallons of water.

sharkbait-nemo · Jul 7, 2016

I'm thinking I'd start with a 200 gallon because it's a little more forgiving

happyhourhero · Jul 7, 2016

A lot of people go with 10%ish weekly. Some do none but I personally believe its a good idea in the first few months of having a reef tank. Its a good time to get to know your tank and its chemistry.

sharkbait-nemo · Jul 7, 2016

Okay, I'll do that. Thanks so much! I'm so obsessed with the idea of a reef tank that it's taking everything in me to not just jump in and buy one. I'm trying to do my due diligence!!

happyhourhero · Jul 7, 2016

Well you are doing the right thing by being here and doing your research. The biggest pitfalls I see are people dosing a whole bunch of stuff they dont need to and that they dont test for and when people go too fast. This is not a hobby of instant gratification at all. Although it does provide instant failures. I absolutely love my tank but it does occupy a decent amount of my life with its upkeep and mine is only a 65 gallon. At least a couple times a day I have to do something with the tank.

sharkbait-nemo · Jul 7, 2016

The good news is, I understand the commitment and the basics because of my work with koi ponds. Of course, the reason I'm doing all this research is because I was one of those naive hobbyists who experienced "instant failure." All is well now, but I'm not going to hurt any more fish by jumping in too soon like I did with koi.

sharkbait-nemo · Jul 7, 2016

Even though I'm diverging from pH, I had another question. Would it be a bad idea to start with a small reef only tank? Maybe a 75 gallon with all the necessary equipment, some hardy coral, and a few cleaners (snails, hermits, shrimps, and if necessary, a starfish). Is that possible?