PH

[Barb0713]

Hi guys , my calcium dropped pretty low in my 20 gallon nano reef. So therefore my PH dropped too. I’m bring the calcium ba k up with reef complete. Should I also add something to raise ph ? Or let it come back up naturally with the added calcium ? I don’t want to start adjusting ph and end up chasing it forever . It’s at like 7.7 to 7.8. It was a stable 8.3 before the calcium crash.
thanks everyone

 

[Ron Reefman]

Let the pH do it's own thing. I check mine ever 3 to 6 months and it's always in the very narrow 'safe' range. Chasing it is pointless.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

pHis not related to calcium.

Are you tracking alkalinity?

 

[Barb0713]

pHis not related to calcium.

Are you tracking alkalinity?yeah but low calcium dropped my alkalinity, which dropped my ph. My KH was a stead 10 now it is at 8.

 

[Barb0713]

Now my calcium is 540!!! On a Hanna tester. 280 on API (garbage ) I add seachem reef so now I’m at 540. KH still 8. PH up to 8. I’m just gonna do a water change and not try to adjust anything else

 

[Barb0713]

Yeah my calcium drop. Dropped my KH which dropped my PH

 

[Shibaken3]

When ph is higher more coral growth. Means more consumption of calcium. if you want more coral growth raise ph if not then don't raise ph.

 

[Barb0713]

Thank. I have some new coral coming tomorrow. I sure I have corolline algae on the white dry rocks that I put ontop a live rock when I started the tank about 3 months ago. It won’t scrub off. That is the good kind right ?

 

[Rmckoy]

I rarely ever test ph
As long as salinity is where I want it I focus on the main 3 Alk , cal and mag .

even mag I rarely ever test .
Ph will fluctuate naturally throughout the day
Vent in fresh air from outside through a window . Ph will increase

 

[Barb0713]

Thanks. My mag is 1440

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Yeah my calcium drop. Dropped my KH which dropped my PH

Alkalinity may have dropped, with or without a coincident drop in calcium, and very low alk (well below 7 dKH) may contribute to low pH since pH is determined mathematically from alkalinity and carbon dioxide levels.

Alkalinity of 8 dKH is not a cause of low pH, nor is calcium itself a cause of low pH at any level, high or low.

 

[rsoethe]

Mag should be checked. Helps with Mara vilify of Cal and Alk.

 

[Barb0713]

Alkalinity may have dropped, with or without a coincident drop in calcium, and very low alk (well below 7 dKH) may contribute to low pH since pH is determined mathematically from alkalinity and carbon dioxide levels.

Alkalinity of 8 dKH is not a cause of low pH, nor is calcium itself a cause of low pH at any level, high or low.

Thanks. I’m on my second round of frags lol only one of the 6 made it to the second round , a trumpet that is tough as nails lol I’m really struggling with lighting. I do not have a pat meter and in the woods. It’s hard to borrow one. Working on getting one tho . If I’m gna do this , I need to proper tools. Period . Guessing is fine with fish , but corals are literally a different animal lol anyway my new corals are doing well except a branch hammer. I’m going to try and add a pic , but this site is not the greatest for that . It had a slime on it and looks crazy. I fed with reef Roids last night so I think I messed up it’s soft covering will it heal ? What do I need to do to help it now ? Thanks for your help and experience I am having fun and learning a lot , but not fast enough. Slow is the key and you know patience is hard in this game. Thanks

 

[Barb0713]

Thanks. I’m on my second round of frags lol only one of the 6 made it to the second round , a trumpet that is tough as nails lol I’m really struggling with lighting. I do not have a pat meter and in the woods. It’s hard to borrow one. Working on getting one tho . If I’m gna do this , I need to proper tools. Period . Guessing is fine with fish , but corals are literally a different animal lol anyway my new corals are doing well except a branch hammer. I’m going to try and add a pic , but this site is not the greatest for that . It had a slime on it and looks crazy. I fed with reef Roids last night so I think I messed up it’s soft covering will it heal ? What do I need to do to help it now ? Thanks for your help and experience I am having fun and learning a lot , but not fast enough. Slow is the key and you know patience is hard in this game. Thanks

So now. Does it need more flow ? Less flow ? Did 2 high of flow cause it ? I have 2 660 eflex wavemakers. One on each side running at 30 % right now. I go from 30 to 40 cuz I don’t know . I have a 20 gallon tall with a seachem tidal 55 putting out 250 gph. I think. . I had it kinda close to a pump but it wasn’t blowing directly on it. If that too much , too little flow ? I can never get a straight answer from anyone. Maybe because there isn’t one lol. ??? Help. Sorry I picked you lol to dump all this on . You sounded smart lol any help appreciated.