Equalizing Ph

[JMorris271]

Hi folks. I'm in the process of starting my first aquarium. I am not sure how the water's PH in the QT. is matched to that of the DT. How is this done?
Thanks.

[Kyle461]

If you are using the same salt the pH should run close. With the DT having more live rock and sand it may be a bit different. You can control it with additives.

[JMorris271]

Originally Posted by Kyle461

If you are using the same salt the pH should run close. With the DT having more live rock and sand it may be a bit different. You can control it with additives.

What additive is the most effective?

[Kyle461]

Kent has one. I haven't personally used one but I've read people use these to adjust pH to required levels.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...fm?pcatid=4145

[disc1]

Adjusting pH with an additive can have deleterious effects on alkalinity.

The real way to deal with pH has to do with dissolved CO2.

[Kyle461]

Originally Posted by disc1

deleterious

Fancy. Had to look that one up.

So this wouldn't be advisable even just with the QT tank where pH will be controlled for a short time?

[disc1]

Originally Posted by Kyle461

Fancy. Had to look that one up.

So this wouldn't be advisable even just with the QT tank where pH will be controlled for a short time?

The problem is that the pH effect would only be temporary. After an hour or so, it's going to go back to equilibrium with the CO2 in the room air. So you have to keep adding the stuff over and over. And on top of that, as the alkalinity rises, it takes more and more supplement to get the same pH effect. The whole thing ends up running away on you.

[Kyle461]

Originally Posted by disc1

The problem is that the pH effect would only be temporary. After an hour or so, it's going to go back to equilibrium with the CO2 in the room air. So you have to keep adding the stuff over and over. And on top of that, as the alkalinity rises, it takes more and more supplement to get the same pH effect. The whole thing ends up running away on you.

I see. Thanks for clarifying. Forgot to consider CO2 affecting acidity of the water.

[JMorris271]

Am I correct in thinking to raise PH I must increase air exchange?

[Neebles]

Originally Posted by JMorris271

Am I correct in thinking to raise PH I must increase air exchange?

You could, but if the co2 in your room doesn't change, your ph won't really change all that much either. Open a window and watch how the ph improves. I learned a long time ago not to chase Ph numbers...

[GMay]

You really don't need to be worried about pH. If you acclimate you critters properly, drip method or any other, you should have little to be concerned with. As already mentioned if your QT and DT use the same salt they will be close to start with in any event.

[JMorris271]

Neither my DT or the QT are setup yet. I want to get them both cycled at the same time so the UC can be doing its crapping while the fish are in QT.

[julie180]

The best way to use a QT tank is to match the salinity to that of your incoming fish. Drip acclimation is not necessary at that point. Float the bag for 15 minutes to adjust temp and put fish in. You can slowly raise the sg in your QT to match your DT over several weeks. Temp and sg are the most important parameters.

[Kyle461]

Originally Posted by julie180

The best way to use a QT tank is to match the salinity to that of your incoming fish. Drip acclimation is not necessary at that point. Float the bag for 15 minutes to adjust temp and put fish in. You can slowly raise the sg in your QT to match your DT over several weeks. Temp and sg are the most important parameters.

Evaporation would be a natural, slow way to raise the SG in the QT.

[ca1ore]

Originally Posted by julie180

The best way to use a QT tank is to match the salinity to that of your incoming fish. Drip acclimation is not necessary at that point. Float the bag for 15 minutes to adjust temp and put fish in. You can slowly raise the sg in your QT to match your DT over several weeks. Temp and sg are the most important parameters.

This is clear best practice if one uses a QT - which you should. Raising salinity back to the level of the DT is best accomplished by using a cheap ATO with salt water in the reservoir rather than fresh. I've been doing it this way now for over a decade and it works really well. I've never bothered to even check pH in my QT tanks.

[JMorris271]

What increments per week are considered a slow salinity rise?