ph dropping

philosophile · 09/16/2010, 08:48 AM

So I just tested my water today, and the PH and Alkalinity levels were really low. (7.2 ph 80 alk). I just put in some baking soda as a quick fix. things are better, 7.4-6 ph, but I'm not sure what caused this dip in ph. I did a water change last friday (today is thursday... I do a WC every week either 5-10 gallons last was 5) I have a 30gal tank two small clowns and a green chromis, two frogspawn, 1 ricordea some zoanthids and a duncan. All are pretty small frags (tank is 2 mo old).

Skimming, and running a canister filter. no sump. I have some red plants in my display too (I think its rhodophytra).

I've been vodka dosing too, 5 drops every day, nitrates are at zero, and I haven't increased at all. Could this be the cause (started dosing two weeks ago, started with 2 drops, worked my way up to 5 drops over the two weeks.)

Any ideas?

Sugar Magnolia · 09/16/2010, 08:59 AM

It's normal for pH to swing throughout the day. Morning being it's lowest point and evening being the highest. 7.6 is on the low end of the acceptable range. Your alk reading - 80. Did you mean 8 dKH?

patsfan1130 · 09/16/2010, 09:45 AM

I have a feeling there might be errors in testing involved. A starting ph of 7.2 is very low, not to mention rare. How are you testing ph? I would confirm before I did anything else.

philosophile · 09/16/2010, 10:27 AM

Yeah 8 dkh. I'm using dip test strips just to do quick tests once in awhile (monitoring nitrates). After I added the baking soda, I dip tested again, it was up to 7.8, and Alkalinity was looking much better....

I'll test later today again and see what it says.

patsfan1130 · 09/16/2010, 10:30 AM

I dont think your ph was 7.2. Test strips are not very accurate.

09/16/2010, 08:48 AM	#1
philosophile Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,149	ph dropping So I just tested my water today, and the PH and Alkalinity levels were really low. (7.2 ph 80 alk). I just put in some baking soda as a quick fix. things are better, 7.4-6 ph, but I'm not sure what caused this dip in ph. I did a water change last friday (today is thursday... I do a WC every week either 5-10 gallons last was 5) I have a 30gal tank two small clowns and a green chromis, two frogspawn, 1 ricordea some zoanthids and a duncan. All are pretty small frags (tank is 2 mo old). Skimming, and running a canister filter. no sump. I have some red plants in my display too (I think its rhodophytra). I've been vodka dosing too, 5 drops every day, nitrates are at zero, and I haven't increased at all. Could this be the cause (started dosing two weeks ago, started with 2 drops, worked my way up to 5 drops over the two weeks.) Any ideas?

09/16/2010, 08:59 AM	#2
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	It's normal for pH to swing throughout the day. Morning being it's lowest point and evening being the highest. 7.6 is on the low end of the acceptable range. Your alk reading - 80. Did you mean 8 dKH? __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

09/16/2010, 09:45 AM	#3
patsfan1130 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Woburn, Ma Posts: 2,010	I have a feeling there might be errors in testing involved. A starting ph of 7.2 is very low, not to mention rare. How are you testing ph? I would confirm before I did anything else. __________________ My cat's breath smells like cat food Member of the Boston Reefers Society Current Tank Info: 75g lps, 90g sps, 120g mixed, 180 nem tank, 300g reef, 600g up & coming reef

09/16/2010, 10:30 AM	#5
patsfan1130 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Woburn, Ma Posts: 2,010	I dont think your ph was 7.2. Test strips are not very accurate. __________________ My cat's breath smells like cat food Member of the Boston Reefers Society Current Tank Info: 75g lps, 90g sps, 120g mixed, 180 nem tank, 300g reef, 600g up & coming reef

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09/16/2010, 10:27 AM	#4
philosophile Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,149	Yeah 8 dkh. I'm using dip test strips just to do quick tests once in awhile (monitoring nitrates). After I added the baking soda, I dip tested again, it was up to 7.8, and Alkalinity was looking much better.... I'll test later today again and see what it says.