new tank ph

Editour2 · 12/24/2007, 12:49 PM

My tank was just completed and water added about 1wk ago. I have an 85 gal acrylic. I have Marco Rock, (which was dry rock). I tested the ph yesterday and the reading was low, (Salifert Kit). I know that the system has not cycled yet however should I wait a bit or attempt to raise the ph now? Is is still acceptable to use baking soda to raise the ph? (That's what I used with all my fresh water tanks). I have some live rock and live sand in a separate QT tank, when is a good time to add some of each, (I didn't want to add either until the ph, salinity, temp etc where at least near the same levels.

Another unrelated question: I have a small sump/refugium under the tank, (in the stand), with the skimmer, phosban reactor. The return pump is external. The pump is returning water to the tank faster than the drain, (I had to cut the return back via a valve). Is it normal for the drain water to create so much foam/bubbles in the sump? I do have the sump sectioned off with 3 baffles before it hits the bulkhead leading to the pump. The main display tank water is clear however there appears to be alot of particles floating around. These particles could be displaced sand or salt or micro bubbles, I'm not sure. I have the 1" drain pipe emptying into a 1.5" pvc pipe that I drilled on the sides, (read that this would reduce noise). The protein skimmer is in this same compartment. No recognizable bubbles after the baffle however I do see these same particles.

12/24/2007, 12:49 PM	#1
Editour2 Frank Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Suffolk County, NY Posts: 1,907	new tank ph My tank was just completed and water added about 1wk ago. I have an 85 gal acrylic. I have Marco Rock, (which was dry rock). I tested the ph yesterday and the reading was low, (Salifert Kit). I know that the system has not cycled yet however should I wait a bit or attempt to raise the ph now? Is is still acceptable to use baking soda to raise the ph? (That's what I used with all my fresh water tanks). I have some live rock and live sand in a separate QT tank, when is a good time to add some of each, (I didn't want to add either until the ph, salinity, temp etc where at least near the same levels. Another unrelated question: I have a small sump/refugium under the tank, (in the stand), with the skimmer, phosban reactor. The return pump is external. The pump is returning water to the tank faster than the drain, (I had to cut the return back via a valve). Is it normal for the drain water to create so much foam/bubbles in the sump? I do have the sump sectioned off with 3 baffles before it hits the bulkhead leading to the pump. The main display tank water is clear however there appears to be alot of particles floating around. These particles could be displaced sand or salt or micro bubbles, I'm not sure. I have the 1" drain pipe emptying into a 1.5" pvc pipe that I drilled on the sides, (read that this would reduce noise). The protein skimmer is in this same compartment. No recognizable bubbles after the baffle however I do see these same particles.