Tank parameters. Is ph ok?

james30ct · 01/26/2014, 11:29 AM

I tested my tank today to see if everything was ok. I usually only do this like once every 6 months.

temp 79f
ph 7.4
ca 340
mg 1300
sg 1.026
dkh 8

Tank is 155g with no lids and plenty of surface aggitation. Lights had been on for 4.5 hours. Its winter here in CT so all the windows are closed. My tank is on an interior wall so I really cant vent the skimmer intake outside. I dose vinegar daily at usually 5 oclock pm and I'm only at 15ml per day so far. Also I do weekly water changes with reef crystals. These tests were done 6 days after water change.

My question is is ph ok at 7.4? Is there anything I should be doing differently?
Thanks.

james30ct · 01/26/2014, 12:41 PM

Just wanted to add that I also run a light in the sump opposite dt lights. I dont have any macro algae but I figured the light would help.

The tank usually evaporates around 3 gallons a day. Would running kalk in the ato be a bad idea with that much evaporation?

downbeach · 01/26/2014, 12:47 PM

What are you using to measure your pH with? If it's a metering device, i.e. pinpoint, etc. when was the last time you calibrated the probe. Also, if using a probe, how old is it?

Coral Dilema · 01/26/2014, 12:51 PM

Do you have any open flame heat in your house? If your CO2 levels are too high it will drive your PH down.

Do this. Take a water sample out of your tank and put it outside for about an hour then run a PH test on it. if it is higher than what it is measuring straight from the tank then you have too much CO2 in your house. Have you been having headaches?

james30ct · 01/26/2014, 01:02 PM

Thanks for the responses. No probe I use test kits. Also house has no oil or gas all electric. If i put the tank water outside for an hour it would freeze.

disc1 · 01/26/2014, 01:11 PM

Test kit may be reading low. To check it look at your sandbed if it isn't dissolving then that pH regarding is off.

james30ct · 01/26/2014, 01:15 PM

Tank is bare bottom. I tested a fresh batch of mixed water and got a ph of 8.2 I will see if I can find a different test kit around.

james30ct · 01/26/2014, 08:23 PM

Just ordered a Salifert ph test kit online so I will post the results when it comes in.

01/26/2014, 11:29 AM	#1
james30ct Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Groton, Ct Posts: 1,218	Tank parameters. Is ph ok? I tested my tank today to see if everything was ok. I usually only do this like once every 6 months. temp 79f ph 7.4 ca 340 mg 1300 sg 1.026 dkh 8 Tank is 155g with no lids and plenty of surface aggitation. Lights had been on for 4.5 hours. Its winter here in CT so all the windows are closed. My tank is on an interior wall so I really cant vent the skimmer intake outside. I dose vinegar daily at usually 5 oclock pm and I'm only at 15ml per day so far. Also I do weekly water changes with reef crystals. These tests were done 6 days after water change. My question is is ph ok at 7.4? Is there anything I should be doing differently? Thanks. Last edited by james30ct; 01/26/2014 at 11:30 AM. Reason: forgot alk

01/26/2014, 12:51 PM	#4
Coral Dilema Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central NC Posts: 953	Do you have any open flame heat in your house? If your CO2 levels are too high it will drive your PH down. Do this. Take a water sample out of your tank and put it outside for about an hour then run a PH test on it. if it is higher than what it is measuring straight from the tank then you have too much CO2 in your house. Have you been having headaches? __________________ Build a man a fire and he is warm for a night. Set a man on fire and he is warm for the rest of his life. Current Tank Info: 20 inch cube running, Looking for a good place to get a 36 X 20-24 X 18-24 tank.

01/26/2014, 01:11 PM	#6
disc1 -RT * ln(k) Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Little Rock Posts: 9,705	Test kit may be reading low. To check it look at your sandbed if it isn't dissolving then that pH regarding is off. __________________ David Current Tank: Undergoing reconstruction...

01/26/2014, 01:15 PM	#7
james30ct Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Groton, Ct Posts: 1,218	Tank is bare bottom. I tested a fresh batch of mixed water and got a ph of 8.2 I will see if I can find a different test kit around. Last edited by james30ct; 01/26/2014 at 01:20 PM.

01/26/2014, 12:41 PM	#2
james30ct Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Groton, Ct Posts: 1,218	Just wanted to add that I also run a light in the sump opposite dt lights. I dont have any macro algae but I figured the light would help. The tank usually evaporates around 3 gallons a day. Would running kalk in the ato be a bad idea with that much evaporation?

01/26/2014, 12:47 PM	#3
downbeach Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Smyrna, Delaware Posts: 3,767	What are you using to measure your pH with? If it's a metering device, i.e. pinpoint, etc. when was the last time you calibrated the probe. Also, if using a probe, how old is it?

01/26/2014, 01:02 PM	#5
james30ct Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Groton, Ct Posts: 1,218	Thanks for the responses. No probe I use test kits. Also house has no oil or gas all electric. If i put the tank water outside for an hour it would freeze.

01/26/2014, 08:23 PM	#8
james30ct Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Groton, Ct Posts: 1,218	Just ordered a Salifert ph test kit online so I will post the results when it comes in.