HELP Low PH bit more than 7.8

CamDAX · 02/22/2014, 11:50 AM

Hey all

My tank has been setup and cycled since Jan 9. Recently my LFS told me my PH was low. It always seamed to be 7.8 on two different tests (API master test kit is one of them). They said the problem is my sand must be used. fyi I got it off ebay and it came wet. They said I could buy new sand but since I am broke, I took the other option, to buy a temporary fix A.K.A. Kent Marine Superbuffer-dKH. So far I have added I think 6 TSP over the past few days and my PH has yet to get to 8.2 then next mark on API. Should I keep adding or? I think it's over 8.0 but not sure.

Some of my zoa's are open fully but don't extend there little eye lash like things, They have them curled up, and some are just not open fully. Is this due to my ph?

nlgill13 · 02/22/2014, 12:15 PM

Check your Alk, Mag, and Calc. Ph should be steady if these parameters are in check.

julie180 · 02/22/2014, 12:17 PM

Don't worry about it. That number is fine as long as everything else is in check

CamDAX · 02/22/2014, 12:18 PM

I need to get another test kit then because I only have the api saltwater master test kit.

nlgill13 · 02/22/2014, 12:41 PM

I wouldn't spend any extra money on a new ph test kit...ph is more of a concern for freshwater tanks. Like Julie said, being a little low in a saltwater tank is really no big deal. It is more important to keep up with alk, mag, and calc. Ph is a parameter that I only really check at this point if there is something wrong with the tank and all my other parameters seem to be in check.

CamDAX · 02/22/2014, 12:51 PM

Right I don't have a test for those yet. I have one for total Alk. It's tetra easy strips.

benjc · 02/22/2014, 04:07 PM

Don't worry about it; that pH should be fine. I haven't checked my tank's pH in 7-8 months, although I do check Alk, Ca, and Mg weekly. Stability is the key...

maddmaxx · 02/22/2014, 05:11 PM

if possible. open a few windows to let in fresh air into the house. that may allow the ph to raise. sometimes stale air in the house can cause low ph. but 7.8 isnt really that low

tmz · 02/23/2014, 11:02 AM

The buffer will not help if your alkalinity is between 7 to 11dkh It may tweak pH a bit for a short time but will leave high alkalinity and the same pH in less than a a day ,usually a few hours, as CO2 from the air equilibrates wit hthe tank water.

7.8 to 8.4 dkh are ok; I prefer 8.1 to 8.4 but many nice tanks run at 7.8 as a low point.

CO2 levels in tank drive pH. The tank water interacts with air and exchanges gases to a point of equilibriation . There is usually lag time . The amount of CO2 in the surrounding air effects the tank as does the rate of gas exchange. The later can be accelerated with surface agitation and exposing surface to the air. The former by more fresh air in the room or piped to the skimmer air intake.

Dripping calcium hydroxide( kalk) will also raise pH as it provides calcium and caronate alkaintiy. The alkainity is formed when the hydroxide takes up CO2 from the water.

02/22/2014, 11:50 AM	#1
CamDAX Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Grass Valley, CA Area Posts: 261	HELP Low PH bit more than 7.8 Hey all My tank has been setup and cycled since Jan 9. Recently my LFS told me my PH was low. It always seamed to be 7.8 on two different tests (API master test kit is one of them). They said the problem is my sand must be used. fyi I got it off ebay and it came wet. They said I could buy new sand but since I am broke, I took the other option, to buy a temporary fix A.K.A. Kent Marine Superbuffer-dKH. So far I have added I think 6 TSP over the past few days and my PH has yet to get to 8.2 then next mark on API. Should I keep adding or? I think it's over 8.0 but not sure. Some of my zoa's are open fully but don't extend there little eye lash like things, They have them curled up, and some are just not open fully. Is this due to my ph? __________________ CamDAX Current Tank Info: 55 gal., 10gal. sump, DIY 1/2" PVC overflow, 2x Hydor Koralia 750/850, 2x 165W Black Box, SCA-303 (150gal) Skimmer, with 40 lb LR, 40 LS, with a purple dottyback.

02/22/2014, 12:15 PM	#2
nlgill13 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Boulder,CO Posts: 1,291	Check your Alk, Mag, and Calc. Ph should be steady if these parameters are in check. __________________ 90G DT w/ 30G sump, 2 Apollo SolarBlast Dimmable LEDs, 160 Reef Octopus Extreme, Neptune Apex, Mag 7, MP10 & MP40

02/22/2014, 12:18 PM	#4
CamDAX Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Grass Valley, CA Area Posts: 261	I need to get another test kit then because I only have the api saltwater master test kit. __________________ CamDAX Current Tank Info: 55 gal., 10gal. sump, DIY 1/2" PVC overflow, 2x Hydor Koralia 750/850, 2x 165W Black Box, SCA-303 (150gal) Skimmer, with 40 lb LR, 40 LS, with a purple dottyback.

02/22/2014, 12:41 PM	#5
nlgill13 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Boulder,CO Posts: 1,291	I wouldn't spend any extra money on a new ph test kit...ph is more of a concern for freshwater tanks. Like Julie said, being a little low in a saltwater tank is really no big deal. It is more important to keep up with alk, mag, and calc. Ph is a parameter that I only really check at this point if there is something wrong with the tank and all my other parameters seem to be in check. __________________ 90G DT w/ 30G sump, 2 Apollo SolarBlast Dimmable LEDs, 160 Reef Octopus Extreme, Neptune Apex, Mag 7, MP10 & MP40

02/22/2014, 12:51 PM	#6
CamDAX Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Grass Valley, CA Area Posts: 261	Right I don't have a test for those yet. I have one for total Alk. It's tetra easy strips. __________________ CamDAX Current Tank Info: 55 gal., 10gal. sump, DIY 1/2" PVC overflow, 2x Hydor Koralia 750/850, 2x 165W Black Box, SCA-303 (150gal) Skimmer, with 40 lb LR, 40 LS, with a purple dottyback.

02/22/2014, 12:17 PM	#3
julie180 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Raymore, MO Posts: 2,556	Don't worry about it. That number is fine as long as everything else is in check

02/22/2014, 04:07 PM	#7
benjc Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Thousand Oaks, CA Posts: 636	Don't worry about it; that pH should be fine. I haven't checked my tank's pH in 7-8 months, although I do check Alk, Ca, and Mg weekly. Stability is the key...

02/22/2014, 05:11 PM	#8
maddmaxx Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Jersey Shore Posts: 3,003	if possible. open a few windows to let in fresh air into the house. that may allow the ph to raise. sometimes stale air in the house can cause low ph. but 7.8 isnt really that low __________________ One Life One Shot Current Tank Info: 40B Mixed reef

02/23/2014, 11:02 AM	#9
tmz ReefKeeping Mag staff Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: West Seneca NY Posts: 27,691	The buffer will not help if your alkalinity is between 7 to 11dkh It may tweak pH a bit for a short time but will leave high alkalinity and the same pH in less than a a day ,usually a few hours, as CO2 from the air equilibrates wit hthe tank water. 7.8 to 8.4 dkh are ok; I prefer 8.1 to 8.4 but many nice tanks run at 7.8 as a low point. CO2 levels in tank drive pH. The tank water interacts with air and exchanges gases to a point of equilibriation . There is usually lag time . The amount of CO2 in the surrounding air effects the tank as does the rate of gas exchange. The later can be accelerated with surface agitation and exposing surface to the air. The former by more fresh air in the room or piped to the skimmer air intake. Dripping calcium hydroxide( kalk) will also raise pH as it provides calcium and caronate alkaintiy. The alkainity is formed when the hydroxide takes up CO2 from the water. __________________ Tom Current Tank Info: Tank of the Month , November 2011 : 600gal integrated system: 3 display tanks (120 g, 90g, 89g),several frag/grow out tanks, macroalgae refugia, cryptic zones. 40+ fish, seahorses, sps,lps,leathers, zoanthidae and non photosynthetic corals.