Low PH?

horwitzs · 03/22/2008, 10:34 PM

My ph doesn't seem to want to get above 8.
Other params as follows:

RO/DI water, instant ocean salt.
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 20
dKH: 11
Ca: ~350

I realize the calcium is a bit low so I've started dosing with a 2-part additive.
My tank is only a few months old but everything seems very healthy so far.
In the a.m. the ph is 7.8, by late afternoon 7.9.
I have a small fuge w/ chaeto, not lit now, but lights are on the way and will run on opposite schedule.

Does this sound ok?

kevin2000 · 03/22/2008, 10:54 PM

My 02

So long as you have reasonable level of alkalinity combined with proper aeration (surface water turbulance should suffice) your PH should manage itself.

Some houses are very air tight which can result in elevated levels of CO2 .. that CO2 will depress your tank PH. Should be able to test for this by testing some tank water after it has sat outside for a bit.

New tanks often have lower PH because after the cycle the live rock still have some decomposing crud which will generate acids. Dirty tanks or overstocked tanks have similar problems.

Lastly .. PH test kits are generally inaccurate and odds are your PH is a bit higher than you think .. even if your kit is accurate that level of PH isn't going to harm anything.

Hope this helps.

horwitzs · 03/22/2008, 11:02 PM

Thanks for the advise. My live rock came with tons of life and macroalgae on it, so even though my cycle is over I'm sure there is still some gradual die-off.
My tank has a glass top but I do run a skimmer and the surface is agitated so I think I have enough air exchange.

I feel better, I'm sure others can relate to being a little extra paranoid when starting in this hobby.

03/22/2008, 10:34 PM	#1
horwitzs Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Kitsap Penninsula Posts: 470	Low PH? My ph doesn't seem to want to get above 8. Other params as follows: RO/DI water, instant ocean salt. Ammonia: 0 Nitrite: 0 Nitrate: 20 dKH: 11 Ca: ~350 I realize the calcium is a bit low so I've started dosing with a 2-part additive. My tank is only a few months old but everything seems very healthy so far. In the a.m. the ph is 7.8, by late afternoon 7.9. I have a small fuge w/ chaeto, not lit now, but lights are on the way and will run on opposite schedule. Does this sound ok? __________________ -Seth Current Tank Info: 120g fresh, 150g salt. Last edited by horwitzs; 03/22/2008 at 10:40 PM.

03/22/2008, 11:02 PM	#3
horwitzs Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Kitsap Penninsula Posts: 470	Thanks for the advise. My live rock came with tons of life and macroalgae on it, so even though my cycle is over I'm sure there is still some gradual die-off. My tank has a glass top but I do run a skimmer and the surface is agitated so I think I have enough air exchange. I feel better, I'm sure others can relate to being a little extra paranoid when starting in this hobby. __________________ -Seth Current Tank Info: 120g fresh, 150g salt.

03/22/2008, 10:54 PM	#2
kevin2000 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,805	My 02 So long as you have reasonable level of alkalinity combined with proper aeration (surface water turbulance should suffice) your PH should manage itself. Some houses are very air tight which can result in elevated levels of CO2 .. that CO2 will depress your tank PH. Should be able to test for this by testing some tank water after it has sat outside for a bit. New tanks often have lower PH because after the cycle the live rock still have some decomposing crud which will generate acids. Dirty tanks or overstocked tanks have similar problems. Lastly .. PH test kits are generally inaccurate and odds are your PH is a bit higher than you think .. even if your kit is accurate that level of PH isn't going to harm anything. Hope this helps.