Raising my PH

[xxblackatlasxx]

I have just got into the hobby about 2 months ago. I have a 130 gallon tank and about a 30 gallon sump. My PH according to my Apex is around 7.85 - 7.93. I have tried to run a line from my skimmer to outside. That is the only way I can get a PH reading to go over 7.9.

I have looked into getting a CO2 scrubber to help remove the CO2 from my home, but don't know if that is the best option at his time. It seems to be an expensive venture.

I also saw that using 2 part will help bring your PH up, but it will also increase your Calcium and Alkalinity. As you can see by my tank parameters I don't know if this is a desired result.

The only other thing I saw to try was put an air pump in the sump to see if it will bring my PH up any. From what I saw some people recommend then while others say "Do Not" use a air pump in your saltwater tank.

I don't know what other things to try at this time. Any suggestions will be appreciated. I am using 2 Apex Wav Generators. One is located on each end of my aquarium.

Tank Parameters:
Alkalinity: 8
Calcium: 700 (I know this is high, but I am just waiting on my corals to use it and taking it out little but little with water changes.)
Magnesium: 1500
Nitrate: 10
Phosphate: 0.15

All of these reading were taken about 6 hours after my water change. I will be redoing them Friday.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Don’t chase ph. Especially in a new tank.
All you are seeing is the bacteria and fish exhaling co2 and with few corals and algaes there’s nothing to pull it out and use it.
You also very likely don’t have anything in the tank that low ph will effect.
Your ph isn’t bad at all either.

I would do nothing save add a fuge

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Welcome to R2R

 

[Sod Buster]

You can do some research on "nano" or "micro" bubble scrubbing. Lengthy thread on this site. You run this at night for a few hours bringing in outside air. A co2 scrubber that pulls moist scrubbed air out of of your skimmer cup isn't overly expensive considering what other things cost. I agree with Salty film, right now you are good. 8 is desirable to hit. When you have a full blown sps farm going, some notice a ph around 8.3 ideal. Work on your basic husbandry and do some research and don't panic about that number for many months. Bubba's sps journey has a detailed co2 scrubber layout around page 145 150 or so if you'd like some study material. Keep calm and reef on. Welcome.

Edit:Sorry I left out the most basic. A light in your sump on opposite schedule than the display to nip the nightly dip. That grows algae though. Not desirable unless you have a refugium down there.

 

[xxblackatlasxx]

Thanks for the welcomes.

I have read everywhere that I should not chase numbers. I know what I was within the range for acceptable PH levels, but everywhere you read anything before 8 is good for fish only systems. But you need to be above 8 for your corals to be happy. I will continue to monitor and not stress over the issue.

 

[Sod Buster]

I have read everywhere that I should not chase numbers

When you get to the point of keeping things alive, then watching them grow, you assess the options available to advance your program to the next level. Get good at cal, alk, mg, no3, po4, makes everything happy. Leave the 2 part at the store for now. 2 month old tank is good on water changes for now. What salt and test kits are you using? That calcium level makes has me curious. Your pumps will complain about that any higher for a length of time.

 

[Derek Asbury]

Be warned I did your same mistake and chased pH drop in my mixed tank with devistateing results bought a pH buffer from a lfs claiming perfectly safe unable to over dose well it fixed my pH maybe but it also almost doubled my alk to extreamly high 16.2 that I believe affected some corals in ways i am still unsure if they will come back. So listen to these guys and dont stress about your numbers on pH

 

[xxblackatlasxx]

When you get to the point of keeping things alive, then watching them grow, you assess the options available to advance your program to the next level. Get good at cal, alk, mg, no3, po4, makes everything happy. Leave the 2 part at the store for now. 2 month old tank is good on water changes for now. What salt and test kits are you using? That calcium level makes has me curious. Your pumps will complain about that any higher for a length of time.

I am using Salifert test kits for cal, mag, nitrates. I have a hana checker for phosphorus ulr.

 

[Jekyl]

If you don't want to add a fuge adding some other macroalgae will help. I think dragons breath looks nice in a DT