pH

[Big_Mclargehuge]

Hey. I recently added my first corals and they just aren't happy. Closing up etc... So I've been testing everything. Tested ph and it read 7.4. I use API so I know they can be inaccurate. My clowns and clean up crew seem fine but my GSP has been closed for over a day and my zoas open and close a lot. Just don't look happy. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[kyleinpdx]

We’ll need to see your other parameters: no3, po4, alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, salinity and temp.
Well also need the size of the tank, how long it’s been up and running and the type of lighting you have before we can be of much help.

 

[Big_Mclargehuge]

We’ll need to see your other parameters: no3, po4, alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, salinity and temp.
Well also need the size of the tank, how long it’s been up and running and the type of lighting you have before we can be of much help.

I don't have testers for most of that stuff but when I do I'll post them. 32 gallon biocube. Stock lighting. Temp 78. Salinity 1.025. Tank has been up and running about 2 months. I'm mainly concerned with the pH. I'm wondering how accurate that reading is or what I should do to get it closer to 8.0

 

[Billdogg]

I have not checked the pH of any of my tanks in over 25 years. It just does not matter all that much, and if you go chasing numbers by using additives of one sort or another you will inadvertently throw the important ones (Calcium, Alkalinity, Magnesium) all off in potentially disastrous ways.

Get and use good test kits for those three. My preference is for Salifert kits. They are easy to use, give repeatable results, and are reasonably priced.

pH can swing quite a bit on any given day depending on several factors, including how tight the house is closed up, number of people, any smokers, where the tank is in it's light cycle, etc.

 

[andrewey]

Maybe you could provide some pictures of your coral and how long they've been in the tank. I agree that other parameters beyond pH are likely at play here, but there's a chance your corals are just acclimating to the tank, flow, light nutrient levels, etc. I would also not put too much weight in those API saltwater pH test kits

 

[Big_Mclargehuge]

I have not checked the pH of any of my tanks in over 25 years. It just does not matter all that much, and if you go chasing numbers by using additives of one sort or another you will inadvertently throw the important ones (Calcium, Alkalinity, Magnesium) all off in potentially disastrous ways.

Get and use good test kits for those three. My preference is for Salifert kits. They are easy to use, give repeatable results, and are reasonably priced.

pH can swing quite a bit on any given day depending on several factors, including how tight the house is closed up, number of people, any smokers, where the tank is in it's light cycle, etc.

Thanks! I'll buy kits for those this weekend. Yeah I've heard that about ph but I wanted to test everything that I could since I couldn't figure what was going on.

 

[SPR1968]

We really need a full set of water parameters and maybe a tank shot here to help you out as already said.

Its probably ‘unlikely’ your pH is 7.4 so maybe also try a different pH test kit if your ordering the others.

 

[Big_Mclargehuge]

We really need a full set of water parameters and maybe a tank shot here to help you out as already said.

Its probably ‘unlikely’ your pH is 7.4 so maybe also try a different pH test kit if your ordering the others.

Thanks. Yeah that's kind of what I was wondering. I'll post some pics in a bit