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08/16/2012, 09:54 PM
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#1 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: California
Posts: 10
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ph levels
I test my water levels about once a week and my ph levels are always testing at 8.0 like they were last night. I added three tsp to bring up the ph and tested it again today and again it was at 8.0 is there something I am doing wrong? I can't seem to hit or keep an 8.3 ph level. I have a 55 gal tank, 100lbs live rock, 4 inches of live sand, and large cleaning crew.
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08/16/2012, 09:59 PM
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#2 |
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Reefaholic
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Carmel, IN
Posts: 5,135
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4 tsp of what? How are you testing the PH? What time are you testing the PH?
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INDMAS President Check out my tank in the Large Tank Forums, "A Reefaholic's 1000+ Gallon Mixed Reef System Build"! Current Tank Info: 600 Gallon DT, 140 Gallon Grow Out Tank, 125 Gallon Sump, 90 Gallon Fuge, 200 Gallon Fish QT, 15 Gallon Frag QT |
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08/16/2012, 10:02 PM
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#3 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: St Louis MO
Posts: 4,222
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IMO don't bother chasing PH .. Have you checked KH, or magnesium? If those two are in line, your ph will be good.
Except from co2 build up, but ehh.
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$35-50 for a <1" frag of some stupid named thing that came from a colony you bought for $40-60 wholesale and chopped into 20-40 pieces? No thanks. "JasonH" Current Tank Info: 125 aggressive reef, DIY led lighting, swc cone skimmer, 33 gallon sump, posiden Ps3 return. |
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08/16/2012, 10:12 PM
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#4 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: California
Posts: 10
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3 tsp of ph balance to 3 cups of water. I mainly test my water in the evening time 5-7pm. I'm testing ph, nitrates, nitrites, ammonia levels. I test it with the kit I got from the shop I go to that has 4 viles and drops I add to it, wait 15 minutes then compare it to the color chart.
How would I check KH or magnesium and are those levels more important? |
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08/16/2012, 10:19 PM
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#5 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: St Louis MO
Posts: 4,222
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After the cycle you should never have ammonia or nitrites, so I wouldn't bother testing unless you are having a problem.
KH is an important test to have. You usually don't have to worry about mag if you keep up on water changes. Plus the cheapest mag kit is $30. You could just bring a sample to your LFS and have them run it.
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$35-50 for a <1" frag of some stupid named thing that came from a colony you bought for $40-60 wholesale and chopped into 20-40 pieces? No thanks. "JasonH" Current Tank Info: 125 aggressive reef, DIY led lighting, swc cone skimmer, 33 gallon sump, posiden Ps3 return. |
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08/16/2012, 10:31 PM
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#6 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: California
Posts: 10
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I change out 10 gallons once a month.
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08/16/2012, 10:43 PM
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#7 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Spokane, Wa
Posts: 116
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My tank has been up for about 3 month and I have a steady PH at 8.0
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Air Traffic Control aint easy and who said the saltwater hobby was? For every problem in life there is a solution. Current Tank Info: 75G and 20G Sump/Fuge with Aquac 120 skimmer (Mag 5), LR,LS and chaeto in the Fuge, Mag 9.5 Return Pump, 100Lbs of rock in DT and 60 Lbs of LS. |
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08/16/2012, 10:58 PM
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#8 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: California
Posts: 10
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I've got 8.0 but really want to try to hit 8.3
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