When is the BEST time to test water ? cocncern PH 7.4

Jakef150 · 09/03/2010, 07:41 AM

Hey there,

My biocube 29- i change water weekly. I have chemi pure lite, purgium, cheato w/ JBJ glo led ( only on overnight) and floss filter in rear chambers.

My test result as of 9am: nit/nit-0 , cal 460, AKH 9, phos-0, amm-0, 1.024, ph 7.4 , MAg 1310

I have all API test kit and saltiure MAG

I m curious when is the BEST time to test water with kits ?

Midday, morning , night ? when light off ? light on ??

PH 8.4 is 7.4 -its tan color almost match the card read..few day ago it was 8.0 then dropped to 7.4 ?

I remembered i tested the PH 8.4 when it was in the evening and 7.4 in the morning, 9am with light off..

I dont use dose ph 8.4 THAT often..Just when needed to raise.. i m using Seachem eight.four doser http://www.aquavitro.com/Products/eightfour.html

Is that good stuff?

Advice will be great!

Thanks!
Jake

ice2fire11 · 09/03/2010, 08:42 AM

i usually test mine after the lights have been on for a while, late afternoon.

thegrun · 09/03/2010, 08:48 AM

I test mine a couple of hours into the main light photoperiod, more for consistancy of values from week to week than any other reason. Other than Ph, your readings should be relatively stable in relation to time of day.

Chris27 · 09/03/2010, 10:41 AM

I like to verify a couple times a day, morning before lights, afternoon after the lights have been on for a while, and at night as soon as the lights go out.

PH swings are going to happen in every tank, with the lights out, the CO2 intake of the tank is much lower then when the lights are on, so it's naturally going to swing throughout the day. The trick is to ensure that it doesn't go below 7.8 or above 8.5 at any point in the day.

I imagine that your cube has the lid closed throughout the day, this can lead to poor CO2 / O2 exchange at the surface which will help keep the pH low. You can try to raise it by aiming a powerhead at the surface of the water to help get some more O2 in there.

Jakef150 · 09/03/2010, 12:15 PM

ok got it....Yes its closed lid on top of biocube....all day A/C set at 72*.

This AM it was 7.4 PH thats before light on..

I will set return nozzle aim at surface..

Thanks!
Jake

goochesfish · 09/03/2010, 02:02 PM

does it it rise to over 8 when lights are on? 72 is too cold for me. Open your windows when it cools off to drop the co2 levels in your house.

Jakef150 · 09/03/2010, 03:16 PM

Lol 72* when there is damn humid and hot 90's!

Yes I just re test ph8.4 an hour ago it's now 7.8-8.0 ish by card read color match.

One ? So aim it to surface ? Like to make wave on surface or to splat water ?

Thanks
Jake

09/03/2010, 07:41 AM	#1
Jakef150 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: New York - Suffolk Posts: 1,538	When is the BEST time to test water ? cocncern PH 7.4 Hey there, My biocube 29- i change water weekly. I have chemi pure lite, purgium, cheato w/ JBJ glo led ( only on overnight) and floss filter in rear chambers. My test result as of 9am: nit/nit-0 , cal 460, AKH 9, phos-0, amm-0, 1.024, ph 7.4 , MAg 1310 I have all API test kit and saltiure MAG I m curious when is the BEST time to test water with kits ? Midday, morning , night ? when light off ? light on ?? PH 8.4 is 7.4 -its tan color almost match the card read..few day ago it was 8.0 then dropped to 7.4 ? I remembered i tested the PH 8.4 when it was in the evening and 7.4 in the morning, 9am with light off.. I dont use dose ph 8.4 THAT often..Just when needed to raise.. i m using Seachem eight.four doser http://www.aquavitro.com/Products/eightfour.html Is that good stuff? Advice will be great! Thanks! Jake

09/03/2010, 02:02 PM	#6
goochesfish Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,305	does it it rise to over 8 when lights are on? 72 is too cold for me. Open your windows when it cools off to drop the co2 levels in your house. __________________ The Gooch, my Beagle, may she RIP 1995-2011 Current Tank Info: 150 gallon Starfire set up July 22,09, 30g QT

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09/03/2010, 08:42 AM	#2
ice2fire11 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: North carolina Posts: 74	i usually test mine after the lights have been on for a while, late afternoon.

09/03/2010, 08:48 AM	#3
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I test mine a couple of hours into the main light photoperiod, more for consistancy of values from week to week than any other reason. Other than Ph, your readings should be relatively stable in relation to time of day.

09/03/2010, 10:41 AM	#4
Chris27 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 4,452	I like to verify a couple times a day, morning before lights, afternoon after the lights have been on for a while, and at night as soon as the lights go out. PH swings are going to happen in every tank, with the lights out, the CO2 intake of the tank is much lower then when the lights are on, so it's naturally going to swing throughout the day. The trick is to ensure that it doesn't go below 7.8 or above 8.5 at any point in the day. I imagine that your cube has the lid closed throughout the day, this can lead to poor CO2 / O2 exchange at the surface which will help keep the pH low. You can try to raise it by aiming a powerhead at the surface of the water to help get some more O2 in there.

09/03/2010, 12:15 PM	#5
Jakef150 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: New York - Suffolk Posts: 1,538	ok got it....Yes its closed lid on top of biocube....all day A/C set at 72*. This AM it was 7.4 PH thats before light on.. I will set return nozzle aim at surface.. Thanks! Jake

09/03/2010, 03:16 PM	#7
Jakef150 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: New York - Suffolk Posts: 1,538	Lol 72* when there is damn humid and hot 90's! Yes I just re test ph8.4 an hour ago it's now 7.8-8.0 ish by card read color match. One ? So aim it to surface ? Like to make wave on surface or to splat water ? Thanks Jake