PH dropping in cycling tank. Need water change?

JOEYRM7 · 12/02/2013, 07:40 AM

I'm at the end of week 2 in my cycle. Ammonia is at zero and nitrite is high. I have noticed that my PH has been lowering to a point where it us now at 7.9 as per meter. I gave read that PH can go down in a tank that us cycling, but at this point will a water change be warranted or beneficial? I am replacing about 1 gallon ro/di per day via ato. Thanks

Palting · 12/02/2013, 08:54 AM

Nope, do not chase pH, no need for water change.

downbeach · 12/02/2013, 08:55 AM

Perfectly normal in a cycling tank. Here's a good read:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-05/rhf/index.php#13

There is a typo in the second bullet, re: alkalinity, in the parentheses, it should read 7dKH, not 11 dKH.

JOEYRM7 · 12/02/2013, 10:10 AM

Thanks so you both agree that a water change or other manipullation of PH at this time is unneccessary?

thegrun · 12/02/2013, 10:44 AM

pH at 7.9 is well with the normal parameters, I wouldn't worry at all about it (even after the tank cycles 7.9 is fine). pH is rarely something to be concerned about. During the cycle monitor your salinity, ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. After the cycle watch nitrates, phosphates, alkalinity, salinity, temperature and if you keep hard corals calcium and magnesium.

JOEYRM7 · 12/02/2013, 11:10 AM

Thanks. I generally over manage things so I have been monitoring all, but only Ammonia, nitrite nitrate and ph on a daily basis at this time. I will certainly monitor the others once the cycle finishes.

12/02/2013, 08:54 AM	#2
Palting Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,912	Nope, do not chase pH, no need for water change. __________________ Anything I post is just an opinion. One of many in this hobby. Believe and follow at your own risk of rapid and complete annihilation of all life in your tank :) Current Tank Info: Incept 3/2010, 150 RR, 50g sump, 20g fuge, 150w 15K MH x3, T5 actinics x8, moonlight LED x6, 1400gph return, Koralia 1400 x4, 300 g skimmer, 4 tangs, 2 mandarins, 2 perc, 6 line, 3 cardinals, 2 firefish, SPS, LPS, zoas, palys, shrooms, clam

12/02/2013, 07:40 AM	#1
JOEYRM7 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: NEW YORK Posts: 335	PH dropping in cycling tank. Need water change? I'm at the end of week 2 in my cycle. Ammonia is at zero and nitrite is high. I have noticed that my PH has been lowering to a point where it us now at 7.9 as per meter. I gave read that PH can go down in a tank that us cycling, but at this point will a water change be warranted or beneficial? I am replacing about 1 gallon ro/di per day via ato. Thanks

12/02/2013, 08:55 AM	#3
downbeach Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Smyrna, Delaware Posts: 3,767	Perfectly normal in a cycling tank. Here's a good read: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-05/rhf/index.php#13 There is a typo in the second bullet, re: alkalinity, in the parentheses, it should read 7dKH, not 11 dKH.

12/02/2013, 10:10 AM	#4
JOEYRM7 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: NEW YORK Posts: 335	Thanks so you both agree that a water change or other manipullation of PH at this time is unneccessary?

12/02/2013, 10:44 AM	#5
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	pH at 7.9 is well with the normal parameters, I wouldn't worry at all about it (even after the tank cycles 7.9 is fine). pH is rarely something to be concerned about. During the cycle monitor your salinity, ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. After the cycle watch nitrates, phosphates, alkalinity, salinity, temperature and if you keep hard corals calcium and magnesium.

12/02/2013, 11:10 AM	#6
JOEYRM7 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: NEW YORK Posts: 335	Thanks. I generally over manage things so I have been monitoring all, but only Ammonia, nitrite nitrate and ph on a daily basis at this time. I will certainly monitor the others once the cycle finishes.