Ph

onecrzyboi4u · 01/07/2007, 11:42 AM

I am using Ph buffer to try and raise my ph. It seems to be haveing no affect. I have other corals they seem fine only thing seems bothered is the anemone.

Shagsbeard · 01/07/2007, 11:47 AM

We need a lot more information if you're expecting us to help. First thing: it's pH. The H is hydrogen. Second: A buffer is used to stabalize your pH, not to raise it.

So... What is your pH at? What kind of buffer are you adding?

One thing that contribute to low pH are lack of air circulation. The pH in a tank changes when you open a window across the room. Make sure your tank is getting enough fresh air.

Paintbug · 01/07/2007, 12:00 PM

be very careful using pH buffers, most of them only raise your alkalinity. if left unchecked, your alk will be sky high, and you still have a low pH.

onecrzyboi4u · 01/07/2007, 12:02 PM

8.0 is what my Ph is at now.. i using Ph buffer to try and raise it. air circulating.. looks like my protein skimmer would give the tank plenty of oxygen.

onecrzyboi4u · 01/07/2007, 12:02 PM

What should i use to raise my PH?

Shagsbeard · 01/07/2007, 12:05 PM

It's not a matter of putting oxygen into the water, it's allowing CO2 to leave. The CO2 reacts with some ion or something and lowers your pH. A glass cover on your tank will trap CO2 in your system. If you have the tank covered, give it a day with no cover on it and retest your pH. You can use eggcrate to cover the top to keep your fish from jumping out.

onecrzyboi4u · 01/07/2007, 12:08 PM

I have a open top on my system. so the top is pretty open

msn711 · 01/07/2007, 12:10 PM

If you're pH is in the proper range, 7.8-8.3, then consistency is more important than raising it. My tank has been at 7.8 since day 1 and even my sps corals are doing fine with it. As someone else mentioned, dumping pH buffers will only increase the alkalinity, throwing the chemistry of your tank out of wack. I can't see any reason why you need to raise your pH.

onecrzyboi4u · 01/07/2007, 12:17 PM

Oh ok.. cos my other corals are growing like weeds.. i bought a anemone yesterday. which my tank has been up and running for 2 years now. the anemones mouth is closed but it like laying on it's side not fully opening up so i was wondering if my ph was lil low for it.. flow seems to be ok but i could be wrong.. it's a LTA dark pink

Boomer · 01/07/2007, 12:54 PM

You should not be using buffers to raise the pH unless both the pH and Alk are low. Some buffers like washing soda, will raise both the pH and Alk. Others like baking soda only really impact the Alk. Still others that are hydroxide based will do more for the pH as it adds a buffer and "eats" up excessive CO2. CO2 is usually the reason for most low pH's although yours is fine as pointed out. A good skimmer helps in both raising the O2 and at the same time driving off the CO2. However, CO2 and low pH can still be an issue. Dripping kalk at night is usually the best method for raising pH. The will help you understand the issue better.

Low pH: Causes and Cures
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.htm

Your anemone. It is quite common for new anemones to "drain" themselves of water from a past environment. They deflate themselves and then re-inflate themselves. Most of an anemones size is due to this inflation, deflation process, which is controlled by pumping water in or out. This may take a day or two, depending on water parameters and the over all health of the anemone.

onecrzyboi4u · 01/07/2007, 01:20 PM

Yeah i went and bought a better power head it seems to be coming alive now.. I feel stupid now ....although i was curious about the PH ..thanks for the info..

Now i have another question thats been bothering me on my live rocks i have white strings looks like veins to me from something. What is this or is it a worm or something.

Boomer · 01/07/2007, 01:26 PM

I would need a pic to see what they may be. Off hand, sponges.

Paintbug · 01/07/2007, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by onecrzyboi4u

Now i have another question thats been bothering me on my live rocks i have white strings looks like veins to me from something. What is this or is it a worm or something.

probably tube worms. they build tubes all over the rock. most the time they are white tubes. you may see a small feather duster poking out from them once in a while.

01/07/2007, 11:42 AM	#1
onecrzyboi4u Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Lexington VA Posts: 1,893	Ph I am using Ph buffer to try and raise my ph. It seems to be haveing no affect. I have other corals they seem fine only thing seems bothered is the anemone.

01/07/2007, 12:00 PM	#3
Paintbug Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Stoneville, NC Posts: 6,169	be very careful using pH buffers, most of them only raise your alkalinity. if left unchecked, your alk will be sky high, and you still have a low pH. __________________ Never ask a girl over to see your crabs!! <-Tony-> Current Tank Info: NONE currently

01/07/2007, 12:10 PM	#8
msn711 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Reynoldsburg, OH Posts: 974	If you're pH is in the proper range, 7.8-8.3, then consistency is more important than raising it. My tank has been at 7.8 since day 1 and even my sps corals are doing fine with it. As someone else mentioned, dumping pH buffers will only increase the alkalinity, throwing the chemistry of your tank out of wack. I can't see any reason why you need to raise your pH. __________________ Shay Current Tank Info: 120 Deep Blue Pro

01/07/2007, 01:26 PM	#12
Boomer Bomb Technician (EOD) Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Duluth, Minnesota Posts: 11,842	I would need a pic to see what they may be. Off hand, sponges. __________________ If you See Me Running You Better Catch-Up Seawater Chemistry, Geology, ID Marine Life, Collecting Science Books, Explosives Technology, Audiophile An explosion can be defined as a loud noise, accompanied by the sudden going away of things, from a place where they use to be.

01/07/2007, 11:47 AM	#2
Shagsbeard Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Morro Bay, CA Posts: 2,143	We need a lot more information if you're expecting us to help. First thing: it's pH. The H is hydrogen. Second: A buffer is used to stabalize your pH, not to raise it. So... What is your pH at? What kind of buffer are you adding? One thing that contribute to low pH are lack of air circulation. The pH in a tank changes when you open a window across the room. Make sure your tank is getting enough fresh air.

01/07/2007, 12:02 PM	#4
onecrzyboi4u Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Lexington VA Posts: 1,893	8.0 is what my Ph is at now.. i using Ph buffer to try and raise it. air circulating.. looks like my protein skimmer would give the tank plenty of oxygen.

01/07/2007, 12:05 PM	#6
Shagsbeard Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Morro Bay, CA Posts: 2,143	It's not a matter of putting oxygen into the water, it's allowing CO2 to leave. The CO2 reacts with some ion or something and lowers your pH. A glass cover on your tank will trap CO2 in your system. If you have the tank covered, give it a day with no cover on it and retest your pH. You can use eggcrate to cover the top to keep your fish from jumping out.

01/07/2007, 12:08 PM	#7
onecrzyboi4u Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Lexington VA Posts: 1,893	I have a open top on my system. so the top is pretty open

01/07/2007, 12:17 PM	#9
onecrzyboi4u Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Lexington VA Posts: 1,893	Oh ok.. cos my other corals are growing like weeds.. i bought a anemone yesterday. which my tank has been up and running for 2 years now. the anemones mouth is closed but it like laying on it's side not fully opening up so i was wondering if my ph was lil low for it.. flow seems to be ok but i could be wrong.. it's a LTA dark pink

01/07/2007, 12:54 PM	#10
Boomer Bomb Technician (EOD) Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Duluth, Minnesota Posts: 11,842	You should not be using buffers to raise the pH unless both the pH and Alk are low. Some buffers like washing soda, will raise both the pH and Alk. Others like baking soda only really impact the Alk. Still others that are hydroxide based will do more for the pH as it adds a buffer and "eats" up excessive CO2. CO2 is usually the reason for most low pH's although yours is fine as pointed out. A good skimmer helps in both raising the O2 and at the same time driving off the CO2. However, CO2 and low pH can still be an issue. Dripping kalk at night is usually the best method for raising pH. The will help you understand the issue better. Low pH: Causes and Cures http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.htm Your anemone. It is quite common for new anemones to "drain" themselves of water from a past environment. They deflate themselves and then re-inflate themselves. Most of an anemones size is due to this inflation, deflation process, which is controlled by pumping water in or out. This may take a day or two, depending on water parameters and the over all health of the anemone.

01/07/2007, 01:20 PM	#11
onecrzyboi4u Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Lexington VA Posts: 1,893	Yeah i went and bought a better power head it seems to be coming alive now.. I feel stupid now ....although i was curious about the PH ..thanks for the info.. Now i have another question thats been bothering me on my live rocks i have white strings looks like veins to me from something. What is this or is it a worm or something.