New to the Hobby... my pH does not stabilizes... everything else is okay.

SuperPilot · 07/19/2013, 07:43 AM

Hello everyone, I am new to the Hobby...
my pH does not stabilizes for some reason. Ammonia is usually 0ppm and at times < 0.25ppm (less than) but reaching 0.25ppm.

Nitrites are 0
Nitrates are 0

I have optimal filtration and clear water. just the pH is at issue. any suggestions to help keeping it stable? I have API Buffer, but I would like it to be stable.

History: new tank running for about 2 weeks. I have Aragonite live sand and dry rock.

behlke · 07/19/2013, 08:41 AM

The pH will fluctuate throughout the day, higher during the day and lower at night. The fluctuation is a by product of photosynthesis. The algae and corals remove CO2 from the water during the day, which uses up the carbonic acid in the water, and that causes the pH to rise a little. Then at night the algae and corals respire CO2 back into the water, which converts to carbonic acid and lowers the pH. The pH can move 0.2-0.4 pH units over the course of a day. As long as the pH is consistently in the 7.7-8.4 range you will be okay. Try to measure your pH at the same time of day every time to get around the daily fluctuation.

Many people run a reverse photoperiod in their sump to offset some of the fluctuation. The reverse photoperiod just means that they have the lights on for the algae in their sump at night so that those algae photosynthesis at night and use up the CO2 produced by the algae and corals in the display tank.

Sugar Magnolia · 07/19/2013, 08:53 AM

If you are still reading ammonia, then you are still in the early stages of the cycle, which will affect the pH. It's not really necessary to test pH during the cycle, because it will fluctuate quite a bit.

Did you introduce any sort of ammonia (ghost feeding or raw shrimp) to kick off the nitrogen cycle? I see you used dry rock. Adding something to jump start the cycle is usually best when using dry rock.

For future reference - http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.htm

If you haven't already done so, please read through all of the stickies at the top of this forum.

To Reef Central

SuperPilot · 07/19/2013, 08:57 AM

thanks guys for the responses.

I have a few fish in it for about 6 days now. They are very happy and the pH always at the same range and so is the ammonia less than 0.25ppm. Is this ammonia normal? or does it have to be flat zero.

prior to adding fish the ammonia was 0 and pH remained the same like now.

Sugar Magnolia · 07/19/2013, 08:58 AM

There should be no fish in the tank until your tank is fully cycled. Cycling with dry rock can take up to 6 weeks.

Gary Majchrzak · 07/19/2013, 09:04 AM

pH is not your main concern here.

Ammonia is

SuperPilot · 07/19/2013, 09:05 AM

so now being that there are fish in it what can I do about completing the cycling with the fish.

SuperPilot · 07/19/2013, 09:11 AM

I would think that 0.0001 Ammonia is bad, but I read other posts if I am getting readings at < 0.25ppm that I should do nothing but wait few more days, re-test and see if dropped, remained, or increased, then I should do water change.

but I am no expert to decide whether this is true or a myth.

disc1 · 07/19/2013, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperPilot

Hello everyone, I am new to the Hobby...
my pH does not stabilizes for some reason. Ammonia is usually 0ppm and at times < 0.25ppm (less than) but reaching 0.25ppm.

Nitrites are 0
Nitrates are 0

I have optimal filtration and clear water. just the pH is at issue. any suggestions to help keeping it stable? I have API Buffer, but I would like it to be stable.

History: new tank running for about 2 weeks. I have Aragonite live sand and dry rock.

Maybe I missed it somewhere, but what are the pH values you are seeing? How are you testing them?

At 2 weeks old, pH isn't much of an issue. The process of cycling in a tank is going to cause some pH and alkalinity fluctuations. It is generally not time to start worrying with pH until the cycle is complete.

Sugar Magnolia · 07/19/2013, 09:47 AM

What kind of fish are in the tank? Some fish are hardier than others and can sometimes survive the cycling process.

Sk8r · 07/19/2013, 09:52 AM

Get the fish out of the tank into quarantine, which you desperately need anyway. Read the stickies.

SuperPilot · 07/19/2013, 09:56 AM

fish

2 blue damsels
1 4-striped damsel
1 clown

Painted skin · 07/19/2013, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sk8r

get the fish out of the tank into quarantine, which you desperately need anyway. Read the stickies.

+1

07/19/2013, 07:43 AM	#1
SuperPilot Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 18	New to the Hobby... my pH does not stabilizes... everything else is okay. Hello everyone, I am new to the Hobby... my pH does not stabilizes for some reason. Ammonia is usually 0ppm and at times < 0.25ppm (less than) but reaching 0.25ppm. Nitrites are 0 Nitrates are 0 I have optimal filtration and clear water. just the pH is at issue. any suggestions to help keeping it stable? I have API Buffer, but I would like it to be stable. History: new tank running for about 2 weeks. I have Aragonite live sand and dry rock.

07/19/2013, 08:41 AM	#2
behlke Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 163	The pH will fluctuate throughout the day, higher during the day and lower at night. The fluctuation is a by product of photosynthesis. The algae and corals remove CO2 from the water during the day, which uses up the carbonic acid in the water, and that causes the pH to rise a little. Then at night the algae and corals respire CO2 back into the water, which converts to carbonic acid and lowers the pH. The pH can move 0.2-0.4 pH units over the course of a day. As long as the pH is consistently in the 7.7-8.4 range you will be okay. Try to measure your pH at the same time of day every time to get around the daily fluctuation. Many people run a reverse photoperiod in their sump to offset some of the fluctuation. The reverse photoperiod just means that they have the lights on for the algae in their sump at night so that those algae photosynthesis at night and use up the CO2 produced by the algae and corals in the display tank. __________________ Later,Adam "The solution to pollution is dilution, or concentration and removal." "Nothing is as good as nature, it has 4.6 billion years of experience." "Do not try anything I say at home." Current Tank Info: None. Heater failed on my old tank when I was on vacation. There were no survivors.

07/19/2013, 08:53 AM	#3
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	If you are still reading ammonia, then you are still in the early stages of the cycle, which will affect the pH. It's not really necessary to test pH during the cycle, because it will fluctuate quite a bit. Did you introduce any sort of ammonia (ghost feeding or raw shrimp) to kick off the nitrogen cycle? I see you used dry rock. Adding something to jump start the cycle is usually best when using dry rock. For future reference - http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.htm If you haven't already done so, please read through all of the stickies at the top of this forum. *To Reef Central* __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

07/19/2013, 08:58 AM	#5
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	There should be no fish in the tank until your tank is fully cycled. Cycling with dry rock can take up to 6 weeks. __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

07/19/2013, 09:04 AM	#6
Gary Majchrzak Team RC Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 41,560	to reiterate pH is not your main concern here. Ammonia is __________________ over 24 years experience with multiple types of marine aquarium systems see Upstate Reef Society Forum on RC and FB GOOGLE JUNIOR'S REEF Current Tank Info: 84x24x30 265g reef past TOTM honors

07/19/2013, 08:57 AM	#4
SuperPilot Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 18	thanks guys for the responses. I have a few fish in it for about 6 days now. They are very happy and the pH always at the same range and so is the ammonia less than 0.25ppm. Is this ammonia normal? or does it have to be flat zero. prior to adding fish the ammonia was 0 and pH remained the same like now.

07/19/2013, 09:05 AM	#7
SuperPilot Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 18	so now being that there are fish in it what can I do about completing the cycling with the fish.

07/19/2013, 09:11 AM	#8
SuperPilot Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 18	I would think that 0.0001 Ammonia is bad, but I read other posts if I am getting readings at < 0.25ppm that I should do nothing but wait few more days, re-test and see if dropped, remained, or increased, then I should do water change. but I am no expert to decide whether this is true or a myth.

07/19/2013, 09:47 AM	#10
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	What kind of fish are in the tank? Some fish are hardier than others and can sometimes survive the cycling process. __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

07/19/2013, 09:52 AM	#11
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Get the fish out of the tank into quarantine, which you desperately need anyway. Read the stickies. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

07/19/2013, 09:56 AM	#12
SuperPilot Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 18	fish 2 blue damsels 1 4-striped damsel 1 clown