PH what does this read?
- Thread starter Lovinmytank
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AdamNC
Lawnmower Blenny says nom nom
Looks like 8.0 to me. The easiest and cheapest way to raise pH is just open a window nearby. I keep a window opened up about 1-2” plus have my skimmer intake tube run through my wall behind the tank. DTH so far has been about 8.13-8.18 and NTL of about 8.0-8.03 give or take a few points day to day.
How does having the window open and running the skimmer hose through the wall raise the ph?
AdamNC
Lawnmower Blenny says nom nom
pH is linked to how much available oxygen is in the house. You’ll notice when your home more or have multiple people in the house your pH will be lower as compared to when no one is home all day. Therefore when you crack a window or run the skimmer line outside it provides more available O2. Before doing both at my house my pH would not raise above 7.8-7.9 at most during the day. Most people can’t just run their skimmer line outside so just try to crack a window near the tank for about a week and you’ll see, even if it’s only during the times you are home. These newer houses are so well sealed that the Co2 levels rise faster than from a house say built in the 1950s or 1960s.
Wow!!! I didn't know that. We have been dosing it for 3 days now and nothing. Someone said to add baking soda to it. But that makes me nervous.
Monte26
Active Member
It’s actually CO2, not oxygen, that will affect your pH. Baking Soda (sodium bicarbonate) will not raise pH. Actually, in larger doses, it can slightly lower pH. Soda Ash on the other hand (Sodium Carbonate) will raise pH. That said, it will raise alkalinity just like baking soda will. Depending on your current alkalinity level and tank consumption rate, that may or may not be desirable.
Edit: by the way, a pH of 8.0 is perfectly fine. Yes, corals will grow faster at slightly higher pH levels, but as long as you’re above 7.7, I wouldn’t suggest chasing numbers. It usually does more harm than good.
