pH problems!

M2B3J · 07/23/2007, 10:49 AM

im relatively new to this hobby and i am having trouble keeping a stable pH in a 29G biocube. ive been told alot of things but i need to know what to do about this problem before it gets any worse.
any suggestions please

marduc · 07/23/2007, 11:14 AM

How do you test your PH? What is your alkalinity and calcium levels do you test these, and what do you use to supplement your alkalinity/calcium?? What range of PH are we talking about, how often is this fluctuation, daily? a drop over time?

We need more info to work with you here, often a perceived PH problem may not be such a problem at all, and could just be a matter of normal daily fluctuations, or just slightly off range from what is "perfectly ideal", and quite frequently due to inaccuracies in testing methods.

Read this

Don't do anything drastic until you make sure it is really a problem, and ven then take things SLOW and EASY.

bertoni · 07/23/2007, 12:20 PM

Most tanks show a pH change from night to day, because photosynthesis removes CO2 from the water column, which raises pH. The alkalinity level in the tank needs to be maintained properly, too. These articles might help:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-05/rhf/index.php
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-04/rhf/index.php

Aquarist007 · 07/23/2007, 12:21 PM

agreed we need paramters here
pH is more related to carbondioxide levels in and around the tank than anything else. ph will naturally fluctuate especially at night when photosynthesis is at a minimun

Aquarist007 · 07/23/2007, 12:22 PM

sorry Jonathan--we must have been posting exactly at the same time but you beat me

Scott

07/23/2007, 10:49 AM	#1
M2B3J Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 84	pH problems! im relatively new to this hobby and i am having trouble keeping a stable pH in a 29G biocube. ive been told alot of things but i need to know what to do about this problem before it gets any worse. any suggestions please

07/23/2007, 12:20 PM	#3
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Most tanks show a pH change from night to day, because photosynthesis removes CO2 from the water column, which raises pH. The alkalinity level in the tank needs to be maintained properly, too. These articles might help: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-05/rhf/index.php http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-04/rhf/index.php __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

07/23/2007, 12:21 PM	#4
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	agreed we need paramters here pH is more related to carbondioxide levels in and around the tank than anything else. ph will naturally fluctuate especially at night when photosynthesis is at a minimun __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock

07/23/2007, 12:22 PM	#5
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	sorry Jonathan--we must have been posting exactly at the same time but you beat me Scott __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock

07/23/2007, 11:14 AM	#2
marduc Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Tampa, Fl. Posts: 780	How do you test your PH? What is your alkalinity and calcium levels do you test these, and what do you use to supplement your alkalinity/calcium?? What range of PH are we talking about, how often is this fluctuation, daily? a drop over time? We need more info to work with you here, often a perceived PH problem may not be such a problem at all, and could just be a matter of normal daily fluctuations, or just slightly off range from what is "perfectly ideal", and quite frequently due to inaccuracies in testing methods. Read this Don't do anything drastic until you make sure it is really a problem, and ven then take things SLOW and EASY.