PH "simple" question

fishgate · 10/29/2011, 08:27 AM

I did a forum search on "ph" and there was a lot of results. I read a lot of the results. So I do think that I understand Ph a bit better.

So here is my simple (?) question:

My Ph looks to be between 7.8-8.0. The 29g tank has been running for around 2 months with no fish just live rock. It has an aragonite, crushed coral and shell substrate. I started with tap water but since have changed to RO/DI water for topups. No major water changes yet. The tank is crystal clear and ammonia and nitrite are 0, nitrate is around 5-10ppm (I have garbage tap water).

From my reading, it looks like I should just leave the tank be and it will naturally increase the Ph to a higher level. Is that the case?

kfisc · 10/29/2011, 08:39 AM

It certainly can/will, but it requires monitoring. As you check alk/CA and magnesium, you'll notice ph fluctuations as those readings fluctuate. You can increase it with baked baking soda, as you've probably read about while searching in the forums.

crashwl21 · 10/29/2011, 08:49 PM

also heard that u need too test ur water when the light has been on for a while

10/29/2011, 08:27 AM	#1
fishgate Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Damascus, MD Posts: 3,340	PH "simple" question I did a forum search on "ph" and there was a lot of results. I read a lot of the results. So I do think that I understand Ph a bit better. So here is my simple (?) question: My Ph looks to be between 7.8-8.0. The 29g tank has been running for around 2 months with no fish just live rock. It has an aragonite, crushed coral and shell substrate. I started with tap water but since have changed to RO/DI water for topups. No major water changes yet. The tank is crystal clear and ammonia and nitrite are 0, nitrate is around 5-10ppm (I have garbage tap water). From my reading, it looks like I should just leave the tank be and it will naturally increase the Ph to a higher level. Is that the case?

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10/29/2011, 08:39 AM	#2
kfisc Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 2,020	It certainly can/will, but it requires monitoring. As you check alk/CA and magnesium, you'll notice ph fluctuations as those readings fluctuate. You can increase it with baked baking soda, as you've probably read about while searching in the forums.

10/29/2011, 08:49 PM	#3
crashwl21 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 15	also heard that u need too test ur water when the light has been on for a while