Help bring Ph up

agarcia892003 · 02/12/2010, 03:26 PM

My ph is currently at 7.4

. I bought a buffer to bring my ph up. How can I safely bring it up without stressing my livestock. The buffer says that I should add it everyday but Im not sure if I should do that. What is the best way to safely bring it up? Im using eigh. four from aquavitro.

these are my numbers

NITRATE- 80 (I know it's high ive been trying to bring it down in the last couple weeks. It was at 160 two weeks ago. )

NITRITE- 0

AMONIA- 0

SG 1.026

ALK 11dKH

CALCIUM 430ppm

and TEMP 77 degrees

ct103 · 02/12/2010, 04:21 PM

Water changes are in order!!!!!! Find the nitrate source.

Jstdv8 · 02/12/2010, 06:39 PM

buffers are a bandaid not a solution to the problem.

spleify · 02/12/2010, 06:44 PM

I agree that more frequent/larger water changes are in order to help lower your NO3.

What are you using to test your pH? Most titration(drop by drop) kits are not very reliable. I personally wouldnt add any buffer.

HTH

Good luck

bertoni · 02/12/2010, 08:27 PM

I think your pH measurement is in error. I'd double-check that and the alkalinity test kit before doing anything drastic. pH measurement errors seem extremely common. You could try aerating a cup of water outdoors for 3 hours or so, and then measuring the pH. If it's still low, the alkalinity kit or the pH kit has failed.

agarcia892003 · 02/12/2010, 10:30 PM

Yeah I have the drop by drop API test kit but I went to my local fish store and they got almost the same results on my Ph. For my Nitrate I think it came from having two tangs in there that I already got rid of. I also have bioballs in there but im taking those out little by little every week. I also feed less and Im doing frequent water changes.. Im just worried about my ph being too low..

lilredwuck · 02/12/2010, 10:32 PM

What do you guys use to test your PH then??? Give the man an idea!! (Me too, but I'll hide behind the question!) Also, how to get his PH higher without the buffer??? Yes, I want to know as well....

spleify · 02/12/2010, 11:37 PM

Hanna pH monitors are really nice, and, and kalk drip may help him with raising it but that needs to be closely watched and monitored also.

I like mentioned you can do the air stone test to see if your kit is good, or open up the windows for a while and lift the canopy on the tank. Is this the 29 biocube in your sig and avatar? If so, do you have a skimmer on there? Some times with those smaller tank that don't have a skimmer, and the top is always closed don't get good oxygen exchange which will lead to a lower pH

HTH

Good luck

agarcia892003 · 02/12/2010, 11:49 PM

Yes it is the 29gal biocube and I dont have a skimmer in it. Will opening the hood for a while during the day or night change my ph??

spleify · 02/13/2010, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agarcia892003

Will opening the hood for a while during the day or night change my ph??

It might, can't hurt to try

bertoni · 02/13/2010, 02:09 AM

I use a pH meter by Oakton. The PinPoint meter is supposed to be good, too.

Jstdv8 · 02/13/2010, 03:23 AM

the most comon fix for low PH seems to be better surface agitation, adding a sump will help with this as well. you need to get more oxygen to the water. I dunno if it helps but some people remove their tank lids as well

Hdhuntr01 · 02/13/2010, 04:51 AM

The very first thing I would do is test the pH of the mixed saltwater that you use for water changes. See if it is reading above 8.1 If not then you have one of three possible problems. 1) Your pH test kit is invalid 2) Your make up water is no good 3) Your salt is not the quality you should be looking for.

agarcia892003 · 02/13/2010, 10:48 PM

I use instant ocean salt mix. And for water I go to my local grocery store and buy Drinking Water. might this be my problem?? using drinking water for water changes. I'm going to call my lfs tomorrow to see if they sell the RO water.

Hdhuntr01 · 02/14/2010, 03:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agarcia892003

I use instant ocean salt mix. And for water I go to my local grocery store and buy Drinking Water. might this be my problem?? using drinking water for water changes. I'm going to call my lfs tomorrow to see if they sell the RO water.

I don't really care for Instant Ocean Salt. I use Oceanic Natural Sea Salt Mix and it cost about the same. It hydrates out at over 500 Calcium. The drinking water you are buying might actually be the same water you can get from your tap so I wouldn't use that. Either find a place that sells RO water or buy a Reverse Osmosis System off ebay. You can find a decent one for a good price if you look around. I use a Kent Marine HiS RO/DI system.

In this hobby there is not always a clear answer for the problems we encounter and some times it is actually multiple issues, so I can't say that this is definitely the cause of your problems. What I will say is that to have a successful tank you need the right salt mix and definitely the right water purity.

Hope this helps you...

brycerb · 02/14/2010, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agarcia892003

I use instant ocean salt mix. And for water I go to my local grocery store and buy Drinking Water. might this be my problem?? using drinking water for water changes. I'm going to call my lfs tomorrow to see if they sell the RO water.

Drinking water can be horrible stuff. Their is no regulation on drinking water quality. You would be better buying distilled water, or ro/di water from your LFS. Nitrates can be very high in drinking water. You might as well have used tap water.

agarcia892003 · 02/14/2010, 09:33 AM

Thanks alot for the help guys. I will call my LFS today and see if they sell the RO water and I will start using it today. I will buy me a RO system once I get the money. I love this hobby and will do anything to keep my tank looking good.

ihavtats29 · 02/14/2010, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spleify

Hanna pH monitors are really nice, and, and kalk drip may help him with raising it but that needs to be closely watched and monitored also.

I like mentioned you can do the air stone test to see if your kit is good, or open up the windows for a while and lift the canopy on the tank. Is this the 29 biocube in your sig and avatar? If so, do you have a skimmer on there? Some times with those smaller tank that don't have a skimmer, and the top is always closed don't get good oxygen exchange which will lead to a lower pH

HTH

Good luck

great info and dead on

syrinx · 02/14/2010, 10:58 AM

Many times a skimmer or airstone will lower Ph if the house has a high level of CO2. Also drinking water,distilled water, RO water has nothing to do with his Ph. The way to stabilize ph is to balance the Alk, Cal, and Mag- once that is in balance the ph will stabilise. Questions of this nature are best suited to the reef chemistry forum for expert advice. I do agree that test kits and monitors are likely to be inaccurate at times.

agarcia892003 · 02/14/2010, 02:50 PM

Now im comfused

I bought RO water from my LFS to see if that helps.. I also bought some cheato to help with my high nitrates . did a test today for nitrates and they are at 60. going down slowly but surely.

02/12/2010, 03:26 PM	#1
agarcia892003 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: wisconsin Posts: 131	Help bring Ph up My ph is currently at 7.4 . I bought a buffer to bring my ph up. How can I safely bring it up without stressing my livestock. The buffer says that I should add it everyday but Im not sure if I should do that. What is the best way to safely bring it up? Im using eigh. four from aquavitro. these are my numbers NITRATE- 80 (I know it's high ive been trying to bring it down in the last couple weeks. It was at 160 two weeks ago. ) NITRITE- 0 AMONIA- 0 SG 1.026 ALK 11dKH CALCIUM 430ppm and TEMP 77 degrees __________________ rookie. any advises will be taken into consideration. Current Tank Info: 29gal biocube with 150w HQI, live rock , soft corals, , 6 line wrasse, yellow goby, FIRE SHRIMP, snails, crabs..

02/12/2010, 06:44 PM	#4
spleify Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 9,579	I agree that more frequent/larger water changes are in order to help lower your NO3. What are you using to test your pH? Most titration(drop by drop) kits are not very reliable. I personally wouldnt add any buffer. HTH Good luck __________________ Make it a Great Day!!!! Current Tank Info: 60 gal SPS cube, with 25 gal refugium, 400W MH, DIY Lumenarc III, DIY skimmer, DIY stand and canopy. 40 breeder LPS with 40 gallon sump, DIY stand, 250W MH

02/12/2010, 08:27 PM	#5
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I think your pH measurement is in error. I'd double-check that and the alkalinity test kit before doing anything drastic. pH measurement errors seem extremely common. You could try aerating a cup of water outdoors for 3 hours or so, and then measuring the pH. If it's still low, the alkalinity kit or the pH kit has failed. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

02/12/2010, 10:30 PM	#6
agarcia892003 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: wisconsin Posts: 131	Yeah I have the drop by drop API test kit but I went to my local fish store and they got almost the same results on my Ph. For my Nitrate I think it came from having two tangs in there that I already got rid of. I also have bioballs in there but im taking those out little by little every week. I also feed less and Im doing frequent water changes.. Im just worried about my ph being too low.. __________________ rookie. any advises will be taken into consideration. Current Tank Info: 29gal biocube with 150w HQI, live rock , soft corals, , 6 line wrasse, yellow goby, FIRE SHRIMP, snails, crabs..

02/12/2010, 11:37 PM	#8
spleify Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 9,579	Hanna pH monitors are really nice, and, and kalk drip may help him with raising it but that needs to be closely watched and monitored also. I like mentioned you can do the air stone test to see if your kit is good, or open up the windows for a while and lift the canopy on the tank. Is this the 29 biocube in your sig and avatar? If so, do you have a skimmer on there? Some times with those smaller tank that don't have a skimmer, and the top is always closed don't get good oxygen exchange which will lead to a lower pH HTH Good luck __________________ Make it a Great Day!!!! Current Tank Info: 60 gal SPS cube, with 25 gal refugium, 400W MH, DIY Lumenarc III, DIY skimmer, DIY stand and canopy. 40 breeder LPS with 40 gallon sump, DIY stand, 250W MH

02/12/2010, 04:21 PM	#2
ct103 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Enterprise, AL Posts: 420	Water changes are in order!!!!!! Find the nitrate source.

02/12/2010, 06:39 PM	#3
Jstdv8 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Wasilla, Alaska Posts: 1,420	buffers are a bandaid not a solution to the problem.

02/12/2010, 10:32 PM	#7
lilredwuck Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Excelsior Springs, (Kansas City) Missouri but mainly LA-LA land Posts: 383	What do you guys use to test your PH then??? Give the man an idea!! (Me too, but I'll hide behind the question!) Also, how to get his PH higher without the buffer??? Yes, I want to know as well....

02/12/2010, 11:49 PM	#9
agarcia892003 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: wisconsin Posts: 131	Yes it is the 29gal biocube and I dont have a skimmer in it. Will opening the hood for a while during the day or night change my ph?? __________________ rookie. any advises will be taken into consideration. Current Tank Info: 29gal biocube with 150w HQI, live rock , soft corals, , 6 line wrasse, yellow goby, FIRE SHRIMP, snails, crabs..

02/13/2010, 02:09 AM	#11
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I use a pH meter by Oakton. The PinPoint meter is supposed to be good, too. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

02/13/2010, 03:23 AM	#12
Jstdv8 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Wasilla, Alaska Posts: 1,420	the most comon fix for low PH seems to be better surface agitation, adding a sump will help with this as well. you need to get more oxygen to the water. I dunno if it helps but some people remove their tank lids as well

02/13/2010, 04:51 AM	#13
Hdhuntr01 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Woolmarket, MS Posts: 395	The very first thing I would do is test the pH of the mixed saltwater that you use for water changes. See if it is reading above 8.1 If not then you have one of three possible problems. 1) Your pH test kit is invalid 2) Your make up water is no good 3) Your salt is not the quality you should be looking for. __________________ Red Sea Reefer 750XXL, Four Radion Pro's, NYOS Skimmer, APEX, Two EcoTech MP40QD and some other goodies. Current Tank Info: Red Sea Reefer 750XXL

02/13/2010, 10:48 PM	#14
agarcia892003 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: wisconsin Posts: 131	I use instant ocean salt mix. And for water I go to my local grocery store and buy Drinking Water. might this be my problem?? using drinking water for water changes. I'm going to call my lfs tomorrow to see if they sell the RO water. __________________ rookie. any advises will be taken into consideration. Current Tank Info: 29gal biocube with 150w HQI, live rock , soft corals, , 6 line wrasse, yellow goby, FIRE SHRIMP, snails, crabs..

02/14/2010, 09:33 AM	#17
agarcia892003 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: wisconsin Posts: 131	Thanks alot for the help guys. I will call my LFS today and see if they sell the RO water and I will start using it today. I will buy me a RO system once I get the money. I love this hobby and will do anything to keep my tank looking good. __________________ rookie. any advises will be taken into consideration. Current Tank Info: 29gal biocube with 150w HQI, live rock , soft corals, , 6 line wrasse, yellow goby, FIRE SHRIMP, snails, crabs..

02/14/2010, 10:58 AM	#19
syrinx Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: champaign Posts: 3,160	Many times a skimmer or airstone will lower Ph if the house has a high level of CO2. Also drinking water,distilled water, RO water has nothing to do with his Ph. The way to stabilize ph is to balance the Alk, Cal, and Mag- once that is in balance the ph will stabilise. Questions of this nature are best suited to the reef chemistry forum for expert advice. I do agree that test kits and monitors are likely to be inaccurate at times.

02/14/2010, 02:50 PM	#20
agarcia892003 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: wisconsin Posts: 131	Now im comfused I bought RO water from my LFS to see if that helps.. I also bought some cheato to help with my high nitrates . did a test today for nitrates and they are at 60. going down slowly but surely. __________________ rookie. any advises will be taken into consideration. Current Tank Info: 29gal biocube with 150w HQI, live rock , soft corals, , 6 line wrasse, yellow goby, FIRE SHRIMP, snails, crabs..