Why is my pH so low?

[Echomsp]

My pH is currently less than 7.4. I'm using an API test kit and that is as low as it goes.

Alk is 11.0, Ca is 492. I'm not dosing anything in this tank as my levels were staying consistent before with Alk at about 9 and Ca at about 475. Tank is 250 gallons and I don't have many corals in there yet, just 5 small pieces. I don't know when my pH dropped because I'm just lazy and colorblind, was only testing for Alk, Ca, Nitrate, Phosphate (Thanks Hanna!). The only thing I changed was salt, from Fritz to Tropic Marin Pro Reef. Any help is appreciated.

 

[joseserrano]

get something better to test ph

 

[Echomsp]

get something better to test ph

Any suggestions?

 

[LC8Sumi]

Salifert

 

[Echomsp]

Salifert

The range on the salifert seems to be the same as API. Is it more accurate? For what it's worth, I also tested my frag tank and the pH was 8.0.

 

[Easy Reefing]

My pH is currently less than 7.4. I'm using an API test kit and that is as low as it goes.

Alk is 11.0, Ca is 492. I'm not dosing anything in this tank as my levels were staying consistent before with Alk at about 9 and Ca at about 475. Tank is 250 gallons and I don't have many corals in there yet, just 5 small pieces. I don't know when my pH dropped because I'm just lazy and colorblind, was only testing for Alk, Ca, Nitrate, Phosphate (Thanks Hanna!). The only thing I changed was salt, from Fritz to Tropic Marin Pro Reef. Any help is appreciated.

BRS made a pretty good video on raising ph . A useful tip was opening doors and window to allow more air in the room

 

[MysticSea]

I agree Salifert is one of the best and most accurate. Just remember you don't want to "chase" your pH especially since you have some corals. Once you know for sure try using a buffer to keep you pH stable. For buffers I have used from instant ocean to red sea and they all worked for me. Red sea is definitely a great brand but some others are a bit cheaper. Hope this helps!

 

[joseserrano]

Any suggestions?

Buy a ph reader. Pen, meter, or controller. You can get one for less than a 100 bucks.

 

[Echomsp]

Buy a ph reader. Pen, meter, or controller. You can get one for less than a 100 bucks.

I'll try to get a more reliable reading on my pH and will buy another form of testing. I have no objection to spending the money for an upgrade. Assuming the reading was correct, any idea what would have caused my pH to be this low and my Alk so high? Is it very likely that it is just a bad test result?

 

[joseserrano]

I'll try to get a more reliable reading on my pH and will buy another form of testing. I have no objection to spending the money for an upgrade. Assuming the reading was correct, any idea what would have caused my pH to be this low and my Alk so high? Is it very likely that it is just a bad test result?

Many things can cause a drop in ph. I would try and get a more reliable reading/method to read before starting to freak out.

 

[Echomsp]

Many things can cause a drop in ph. I would try and get a more reliable reading/method to read before starting to freak out.

I will certainly get another reading. Not freaking out or chasing numbers, just trying to learn or understand.

 

[ecexotics]

my absolute hands down favorite way to buffer and stabilize your ph is by using a co2 scrubber. it is similar to a reactor but it strips the air coming into the skimmer of any co2 giving the tank pure oxygen and in turn buffers the ph of the tank. i'll post the link to bulk reef supply right here , it's like 35 bucks https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-universal-co2-scrubber.html

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

IMO, it is not worth measuring pH with a kit. There's no way to verify accuracy.

Either use a pH meter, or don't measure it.

 

[SoAg Reefer]

Like ecexotics said, co2 scrubber is cheap to start, media needs to bought every month, easy to install and works. Raised my PH from 8.0-8.1 to 8.2-8.3 in less than 24 hours and holds steady in that range. Also, buy a monitor like Milwaukee instruments for ph