Water chemistry conundrum

[glb]

Ok here's my issue. My 12g nano has normal KH (9.0), mg 1300 and calcium 450. All normal. But my ph stays between 7.8 and 8.0. I just bought a ph monitor for more accurate and often readings. I know it goes down at night and is the highest right before the lights go off. My soft corals seem fine. So.....should I add marine buffer to raise the ph or not? If I do, the alkalinity will go up as well. I do all the right things. Weekly water changes, no phospates, nitrates 10ppm or less, etc. I'm interested in everyone's opinion on this. I know stability is key. I'll take frequent measurements and let everyone know. Thanks in advance for your help!!


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12g Nanoreef. Zooanthids, Ricordia, Star Polyps and two clownfish. CF Lighting, 75% actinic blue, 25% 10,000k white.

 

[Downbeach]

I would not use the buffers, the pH is OK, as long as your other param's are good. The buffer will raise it but it's only temporary, since once the CO2 in your system reached equilibrium, it will go right back to where you started, but your alk will remain elevated. I would make sure your getting as good a gas exchange as possible, through skimming, surface agitation, opening window's, etc.

 

[glb]

Thanks! I thought so.


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12g Nanoreef. Zooanthids, Ricordia, Star Polyps and two clownfish. CF Lighting, 75% actinic blue, 25% 10,000k white.

 

[glb]

How about an airstone? I could put it in one of the back sections of the nano tank.


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12g Nanoreef. Zooanthids, Ricordia, Star Polyps and two clownfish. CF Lighting, 75% actinic blue, 25% 10,000k white.

 

[Zero Nitrates]

Seems like your tank is doing fine. I would not change anything.

 

[mike007]

Everything looks good to me. Do you have room for a small powerhead? If so point it a little toward the top so it makes a small ripple across top.

 

[glb]

It has a powerhead. I'll try to tilt it up a bit more.


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12g Nanoreef. Zooanthids, Ricordia, Star Polyps and two clownfish. CF Lighting, 75% actinic blue, 25% 10,000k white.

 

[Reefing Madness]

How about an airstone? I could put it in one of the back sections of the nano tank.


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12g Nanoreef. Zooanthids, Ricordia, Star Polyps and two clownfish. CF Lighting, 75% actinic blue, 25% 10,000k white.

You would get mad salt creep if you used an airstone.

 

[glb]

Ok. I guess I'll leave it alone since it's stable. Thanks everyone!


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12g Nanoreef. Zooanthids, Ricordia, Star Polyps and two clownfish. CF Lighting, 75% actinic blue, 25% 10,000k white.

 

[glb]

Well, my ph monitor came, and the ph was 7.8. The distilled water I had for topoff had a high ph (I have no idea) so I put some buffer in it. This morning the ph was 8.0. This afternoon it was up to 8.3. Kh was down to 7. Calcium 450 and Mg 1200. I dosed ml mg, which brings up the mg in my tank 100ppm. After that I tested the kh again, and it was up to 8. It is really cool to see how these numbers affect each other. I'm glad I have hardy corals while I learn all this.


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12g Nanoreef. Zooanthids, Ricordia, Star Polyps and two clownfish. CF Lighting, 75% actinic blue, 25% 10,000k white.

 

[glb]

3ml mg I meant.


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12g Nanoreef. Zooanthids, Ricordia, Star Polyps and two clownfish. CF Lighting, 75% actinic blue, 25% 10,000k white.

 

[Reefing Madness]

1smile1

 

[mcarroll]

I don't think pure (e.g. distilled) water has a predictable pH.

There's no reason you should have to treat your topoff water with anything if it's good pure water, but at most bubble some air through it to equalize dissolved CO2 with ambient levels.

Sounds like things have been going well - stopping tweaking your tank and enjoy! ;-)

-Matt


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[glb]

Thanks! I usually use RO water but it's ph is always low. Go figure. I agree with you that the less tinkering the better!


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12g Nanoreef. Zooanthids, Ricordia, Star Polyps and two clownfish. CF Lighting, 75% actinic blue, 25% 10,000k white.