Naitrates, Phosphate, and PH

NateDiggity · 08/02/2009, 11:20 PM

Does high Nitrates and / or Phosphates effect the PH at all?

badwrasse · 08/02/2009, 11:27 PM

Nope. why do you ask

badwrasse · 08/02/2009, 11:28 PM

guess you have phos and high nitrates and you PH is low huh? sounds like its time for a water change

NateDiggity · 08/03/2009, 10:01 PM

Yes I do have somewhat high nitrates and phosphates.

I did just do a large water change, and I am in the works of replacing some old equipment.

However, I just got the 2 part system. Calcium, Mg, and Alk.

My alk is actually pretty good, but I did need to dose some Calcium.

I've got the three where I think they need to be and my PH is still low.

badwrasse · 08/03/2009, 10:08 PM

whats your PH? also if you dose Ca your alk/DKH will come up a little too just keep that in mind

NateDiggity · 08/03/2009, 10:55 PM

like 7.7

PRDubois · 08/03/2009, 11:04 PM

You can use "Baked" baking soda to raise your PH.

Bake some Baking Soda on a cookie sheet in the oven on 350 for 1 hour.

Baking Soda will lower PH
"Baked" Baking Soda will raise PH

seapug · 08/03/2009, 11:09 PM

Nitrates and phosphates are acidifying compounds that can affect alkalinity so high levels can cause low pH, but so can many other things. Are you using a protein skimmer? Also, when did you get the 7.7 pH reading? Early in the day or late at night? It's normal for your pH to drop when the lights are off. Try taking a reading late in the day when all your lights have been running for a while.

NateDiggity · 08/04/2009, 12:13 AM

yes, i am running a skimmer, however it doesn't seem o pulling muc stuff out lately.

i will take a reading as you had mentioned later in the day tomorrow. thanks!

badwrasse · 08/04/2009, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by NateDiggity
yes, i am running a skimmer, however it doesn't seem o pulling muc stuff out lately.

i will take a reading as you had mentioned later in the day tomorrow. thanks!

when was the last time you cleaned it

badwrasse · 08/04/2009, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by seapug
Nitrates and phosphates are acidifying compounds that can affect alkalinity so high levels can cause low pH, but so can many other things. Are you using a protein skimmer? Also, when did you get the 7.7 pH reading? Early in the day or late at night? It's normal for your pH to drop when the lights are off. Try taking a reading late in the day when all your lights have been running for a while.

wouldnt they have to be pretty high to drop PH

NateDiggity · 08/04/2009, 12:09 PM

I pulled it out like three times in the last couple weeks and cleaned and tried to figure out what was going on with it. Couldn't find anything wrong with it.

badwrasse · 08/04/2009, 12:17 PM

what skimmer? is it set too dry?
did you test your PH is the a.m. if so thats not that bad mine is the about the same it will come up after lights come on

NateDiggity · 08/04/2009, 08:54 PM

Okay, I think I am good. I tested after the lights were on all day and I got a reading of about 8.

Thanks all for the help.

08/02/2009, 11:20 PM	#1
NateDiggity Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central PA Posts: 55	Naitrates, Phosphate, and PH Does high Nitrates and / or Phosphates effect the PH at all? __________________ N8 Current Tank Info: 72 bowfront / 24 refugium / 4 T5 -- ATI AB Special, ATI Pro Color, ATI B Plus, UV Super Ac (3 ATI's overdriven) = 310w ; Fish List: 4" Yellow Tang, 5" Regal, 4" Regal, Flame Hawk, Flame Angel, PJ Card, Spotted Mandarin

08/02/2009, 11:27 PM	#2
badwrasse Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: St. louis Posts: 1,203	Nope. why do you ask __________________ GOT CRABS? Current Tank Info: 90gal RR,rock wall in progress, MRC sump, reef octopus XP2000I skimmer, marineland pro lighting 2-150w MH 4-54w T5's, hydor wavemaker with 2 #4 controllable pumps, and QuietOne 4000HH return pump.

08/02/2009, 11:28 PM	#3
badwrasse Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: St. louis Posts: 1,203	guess you have phos and high nitrates and you PH is low huh? sounds like its time for a water change __________________ GOT CRABS? Current Tank Info: 90gal RR,rock wall in progress, MRC sump, reef octopus XP2000I skimmer, marineland pro lighting 2-150w MH 4-54w T5's, hydor wavemaker with 2 #4 controllable pumps, and QuietOne 4000HH return pump.

08/03/2009, 10:01 PM	#4
NateDiggity Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central PA Posts: 55	Yes I do have somewhat high nitrates and phosphates. I did just do a large water change, and I am in the works of replacing some old equipment. However, I just got the 2 part system. Calcium, Mg, and Alk. My alk is actually pretty good, but I did need to dose some Calcium. I've got the three where I think they need to be and my PH is still low. __________________ N8 Current Tank Info: 72 bowfront / 24 refugium / 4 T5 -- ATI AB Special, ATI Pro Color, ATI B Plus, UV Super Ac (3 ATI's overdriven) = 310w ; Fish List: 4" Yellow Tang, 5" Regal, 4" Regal, Flame Hawk, Flame Angel, PJ Card, Spotted Mandarin

08/03/2009, 10:08 PM	#5
badwrasse Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: St. louis Posts: 1,203	whats your PH? also if you dose Ca your alk/DKH will come up a little too just keep that in mind __________________ GOT CRABS? Current Tank Info: 90gal RR,rock wall in progress, MRC sump, reef octopus XP2000I skimmer, marineland pro lighting 2-150w MH 4-54w T5's, hydor wavemaker with 2 #4 controllable pumps, and QuietOne 4000HH return pump.

08/03/2009, 10:55 PM	#6
NateDiggity Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central PA Posts: 55	like 7.7 __________________ N8 Current Tank Info: 72 bowfront / 24 refugium / 4 T5 -- ATI AB Special, ATI Pro Color, ATI B Plus, UV Super Ac (3 ATI's overdriven) = 310w ; Fish List: 4" Yellow Tang, 5" Regal, 4" Regal, Flame Hawk, Flame Angel, PJ Card, Spotted Mandarin

08/03/2009, 11:04 PM	#7
PRDubois Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chester, VA Posts: 3,626	You can use "Baked" baking soda to raise your PH. Bake some Baking Soda on a cookie sheet in the oven on 350 for 1 hour. Baking Soda will lower PH "Baked" Baking Soda will raise PH __________________ http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2534403 Current Tank Info: 225 gal Reef, 60 gal reef & 40b frag tank

08/03/2009, 11:09 PM	#8
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	Nitrates and phosphates are acidifying compounds that can affect alkalinity so high levels can cause low pH, but so can many other things. Are you using a protein skimmer? Also, when did you get the 7.7 pH reading? Early in the day or late at night? It's normal for your pH to drop when the lights are off. Try taking a reading late in the day when all your lights have been running for a while. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.

08/04/2009, 12:13 AM	#9
NateDiggity Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central PA Posts: 55	yes, i am running a skimmer, however it doesn't seem o pulling muc stuff out lately. i will take a reading as you had mentioned later in the day tomorrow. thanks! __________________ N8 Current Tank Info: 72 bowfront / 24 refugium / 4 T5 -- ATI AB Special, ATI Pro Color, ATI B Plus, UV Super Ac (3 ATI's overdriven) = 310w ; Fish List: 4" Yellow Tang, 5" Regal, 4" Regal, Flame Hawk, Flame Angel, PJ Card, Spotted Mandarin

08/04/2009, 12:09 PM	#12
NateDiggity Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central PA Posts: 55	I pulled it out like three times in the last couple weeks and cleaned and tried to figure out what was going on with it. Couldn't find anything wrong with it. __________________ N8 Current Tank Info: 72 bowfront / 24 refugium / 4 T5 -- ATI AB Special, ATI Pro Color, ATI B Plus, UV Super Ac (3 ATI's overdriven) = 310w ; Fish List: 4" Yellow Tang, 5" Regal, 4" Regal, Flame Hawk, Flame Angel, PJ Card, Spotted Mandarin

08/04/2009, 12:17 PM	#13
badwrasse Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: St. louis Posts: 1,203	what skimmer? is it set too dry? did you test your PH is the a.m. if so thats not that bad mine is the about the same it will come up after lights come on __________________ GOT CRABS? Current Tank Info: 90gal RR,rock wall in progress, MRC sump, reef octopus XP2000I skimmer, marineland pro lighting 2-150w MH 4-54w T5's, hydor wavemaker with 2 #4 controllable pumps, and QuietOne 4000HH return pump.

08/04/2009, 08:54 PM	#14
NateDiggity Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central PA Posts: 55	Okay, I think I am good. I tested after the lights were on all day and I got a reading of about 8. Thanks all for the help. __________________ N8 Current Tank Info: 72 bowfront / 24 refugium / 4 T5 -- ATI AB Special, ATI Pro Color, ATI B Plus, UV Super Ac (3 ATI's overdriven) = 310w ; Fish List: 4" Yellow Tang, 5" Regal, 4" Regal, Flame Hawk, Flame Angel, PJ Card, Spotted Mandarin