hillbillyaq
New Member
My pH is 7.8. i just got a load of new corals and do not want to see them not flourish. i need to know a good way to raise my pH or a good buffer to buy. Help, please
Buffers/alkalinity
- Thread starter hillbillyaq
- Start date
jackri
Active Member
I had to read the "do not want to see them not flourish" twice. I want to see them flourish would have confused me less 
Whats your calcium and alk at?
Your calcium/alk/pH are all related and can throw the other off.. I would test for all 3, maybe a good two part solution would be more of a problem fixer than just a buffer. I would do a little more testing though.
Whats your calcium and alk at?
Your calcium/alk/pH are all related and can throw the other off.. I would test for all 3, maybe a good two part solution would be more of a problem fixer than just a buffer. I would do a little more testing though.
hillbillyaq
New Member
haha i read that twice and thought it sounded a little funny too but wanted to get it posted so i could some replies before i headed out to the petstore up the road.
Can those affect the pH? I didnt think that they could. I plan on testing those too. My other corals have been fine but are softies and not the same as what i just bought. So any ideas as to anything to bring my pH around 8.2?
Can those affect the pH? I didnt think that they could. I plan on testing those too. My other corals have been fine but are softies and not the same as what i just bought. So any ideas as to anything to bring my pH around 8.2?
hillbillyaq
New Member
hahahaha sorry i was thinking wrong. lol. they can!
natclanwy
Active Member
A PH of 7.8 is nothing to get concerned about, as long as your PH is in the range of 7.8-8.5 and is stable you are fine. Buffers will not fix PH problems, in order to attempt to fix a low PH problem you need to figure out what is causing the low PH, whether it be excess CO2, calcium, alkalinity, or magnesium parameters that are out of whack or something else entirely.
hillbillyaq
New Member
So isnt Ca a good thing for the corals to have, i always thought that Calcium was indicative to basic (alkaline) properties? Is there a test specifically for alkalinity, like a pOH? sorry school is starting to make me cross think?!
If i were to raise my pH to ~8.2 would it help the corals?
If i were to raise my pH to ~8.2 would it help the corals?
tank a holic
Active Member
+1 in all these posts, you need to make sure exactly what the problem is before you treat any thing weather it be ph or disease
when i was stuck at 7.8 my problem was water exchange (co2 build up) and low calcium good luck
when i was stuck at 7.8 my problem was water exchange (co2 build up) and low calcium good luck
geoj
Active Member
Originally Posted by hillbillyaq
http:///forum/post/2956418
My pH is 7.8. i just got a load of new corals and do not want to see them not flourish. i need to know a good way to raise my pH or a good buffer to buy. Help, please
Yes pH is a good indicator off tank health but you need some insight to under stand what pH is telling you. That is why you are getting so many posts about other test. For me I key on Alkalinity because I know how it relates to all the other test so with all the test numbers in my hand I can make an educated guess as to what needs to be done to correct the chemistry.
http:///forum/post/2956418
My pH is 7.8. i just got a load of new corals and do not want to see them not flourish. i need to know a good way to raise my pH or a good buffer to buy. Help, please
Yes pH is a good indicator off tank health but you need some insight to under stand what pH is telling you. That is why you are getting so many posts about other test. For me I key on Alkalinity because I know how it relates to all the other test so with all the test numbers in my hand I can make an educated guess as to what needs to be done to correct the chemistry.
natclanwy
Active Member
Originally Posted by hillbillyaq
http:///forum/post/2956444
So isnt Ca a good thing for the corals to have, i always thought that Calcium was indicative to basic (alkaline) properties? Is there a test specifically for alkalinity, like a pOH? sorry school is starting to make me cross think?!
If i were to raise my pH to ~8.2 would it help the corals?
Calcium is a good thing to a point, levels above 450ppm have been shown to inhibit coral growth. Yes there is a test for alkilinity, here is a link to an article that Randy Holmes-Farley wrote explaining alkilinity: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu.../chemistry.htm
Having your PH between 8.1 and 8.3 is ideal but in the end a stable PH is more important than having a PH between 8.1-8.3. The use of buffers to change the PH causes daily swings in PH much higher than what occurs naturally and will ultimately stress fish and corals.
http:///forum/post/2956444
So isnt Ca a good thing for the corals to have, i always thought that Calcium was indicative to basic (alkaline) properties? Is there a test specifically for alkalinity, like a pOH? sorry school is starting to make me cross think?!
If i were to raise my pH to ~8.2 would it help the corals?
Calcium is a good thing to a point, levels above 450ppm have been shown to inhibit coral growth. Yes there is a test for alkilinity, here is a link to an article that Randy Holmes-Farley wrote explaining alkilinity: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu.../chemistry.htm
Having your PH between 8.1 and 8.3 is ideal but in the end a stable PH is more important than having a PH between 8.1-8.3. The use of buffers to change the PH causes daily swings in PH much higher than what occurs naturally and will ultimately stress fish and corals.
bang guy
Moderator
Originally Posted by hillbillyaq
http:///forum/post/2956444
Is there a test specifically for alkalinity, like a pOH? sorry school is starting to make me cross think?!
If i were to raise my pH to ~8.2 would it help the corals?
Most of the Alkalinity in seawater comes from Carbonate & Bicarbonate with a sprinkling of Borate. That's what most of the test kits will measure. Some measure only Carbonate/Bicarbonate.
Raising your PH chemically (Borate, Carbonate, etc.) will only help the corals when Alkalinity is low. If your Alkalinity is on target (2.5Meq/L - 3.5Meq/L) then raising it will temporarily raise PH but it will drop back down the next day or two. Repeating this can crash your tank.
http:///forum/post/2956444
Is there a test specifically for alkalinity, like a pOH? sorry school is starting to make me cross think?!
If i were to raise my pH to ~8.2 would it help the corals?
Most of the Alkalinity in seawater comes from Carbonate & Bicarbonate with a sprinkling of Borate. That's what most of the test kits will measure. Some measure only Carbonate/Bicarbonate.
Raising your PH chemically (Borate, Carbonate, etc.) will only help the corals when Alkalinity is low. If your Alkalinity is on target (2.5Meq/L - 3.5Meq/L) then raising it will temporarily raise PH but it will drop back down the next day or two. Repeating this can crash your tank.
jackri
Active Member
Magnesium is also tied in with your calcium/alk -- I have personally never tested for magnesium (no local ones but I should order a test kit).
I also like to think since they are all tied in, if my pH, calcium and alk are all in check so is my magnesium.
I also like to think I can visually "look" at my tank as see if anything starts to become "off" a bit I immediately run tests. But months of good coral growth I really don't check on anything that regularly anymore after a WELL ESTABLISHED working practice that works.
Test for:
pH (8.1 - 8.3ish)
Alk (I test dkh 8-12)
Calcium (380-450ppm)
Magnesium (?)
Alk is mesaured two ways... I measure it one way and don't know the range for the other way off the top of my head... but once you test for these things you can see in relation what is going on and a better idea of a correct course of action.
I also like to think since they are all tied in, if my pH, calcium and alk are all in check so is my magnesium.
I also like to think I can visually "look" at my tank as see if anything starts to become "off" a bit I immediately run tests. But months of good coral growth I really don't check on anything that regularly anymore after a WELL ESTABLISHED working practice that works.
Test for:
pH (8.1 - 8.3ish)
Alk (I test dkh 8-12)
Calcium (380-450ppm)
Magnesium (?)
Alk is mesaured two ways... I measure it one way and don't know the range for the other way off the top of my head... but once you test for these things you can see in relation what is going on and a better idea of a correct course of action.
hillbillyaq
New Member
So I went to a LFS and bought a Ca test kit.... according to this testing, my Calcium is around 350ppm.
The literature coming with it says to keep the Ca ~400 or more for optimal growth. How do you all feel about this? I cannot find anymore tests at this LFS other than silica, strontnium, and phosphate (which i may end up buying relatively soon). This LFS is a little pet shop which is phasing out the saltwater fish section and has limited materials. there is another LFS which i plan to check for the other tests at.
I already tested the nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia each yielding a zero.
I did the pH at the same time and that was when i got the 7.8.
The literature coming with it says to keep the Ca ~400 or more for optimal growth. How do you all feel about this? I cannot find anymore tests at this LFS other than silica, strontnium, and phosphate (which i may end up buying relatively soon). This LFS is a little pet shop which is phasing out the saltwater fish section and has limited materials. there is another LFS which i plan to check for the other tests at.
I already tested the nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia each yielding a zero.
I did the pH at the same time and that was when i got the 7.8.
tank a holic
Active Member
check your kh also
add purple up, or some other calcium supplement and get your calcium to about 420
check your ph about 2 hrs after your water returns to clear (it will cloud up when you add the calcium)
keep in mind 1 dose probably won't get your calcium to 420
dose once every other day until it gets there
add purple up, or some other calcium supplement and get your calcium to about 420
check your ph about 2 hrs after your water returns to clear (it will cloud up when you add the calcium)
keep in mind 1 dose probably won't get your calcium to 420
dose once every other day until it gets there
geoj
Active Member
Originally Posted by hillbillyaq
http:///forum/post/2957056
So I went to a LFS and bought a Ca test kit.... according to this testing, my Calcium is around 350ppm.
The literature coming with it says to keep the Ca ~400 or more for optimal growth. How do you all feel about this? I cannot find anymore tests at this LFS other than silica, strontnium, and phosphate (which i may end up buying relatively soon). This LFS is a little pet shop which is phasing out the saltwater fish section and has limited materials. there is another LFS which i plan to check for the other tests at.
I already tested the nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia each yielding a zero.
I did the pH at the same time and that was when i got the 7.8.
Well I would start by first try to keep calcium at 430ppm.
To do this you need to keep your Alk up also, say 8-10 dkH
After some time you may need to do a water change to get magnesium to come back up.
Do this however you feel comfortable…
http:///forum/post/2957056
So I went to a LFS and bought a Ca test kit.... according to this testing, my Calcium is around 350ppm.
The literature coming with it says to keep the Ca ~400 or more for optimal growth. How do you all feel about this? I cannot find anymore tests at this LFS other than silica, strontnium, and phosphate (which i may end up buying relatively soon). This LFS is a little pet shop which is phasing out the saltwater fish section and has limited materials. there is another LFS which i plan to check for the other tests at.
I already tested the nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia each yielding a zero.
I did the pH at the same time and that was when i got the 7.8.
Well I would start by first try to keep calcium at 430ppm.
To do this you need to keep your Alk up also, say 8-10 dkH
After some time you may need to do a water change to get magnesium to come back up.
Do this however you feel comfortable…
hillbillyaq
New Member
So i did a water change on wednesday, then added about a gallon or so of water today to lower the salinity (hrs before doing my testing). . . After checking my alkalinity---if i start dosing my tank with Ca and what not, how long will should i wait before doing another water change.
geoj
Active Member
Originally Posted by hillbillyaq
http:///forum/post/2957244
So i did a water change on wednesday, then added about a gallon or so of water today to lower the salinity (hrs before doing my testing). . . After checking my alkalinity---if i start dosing my tank with Ca and what not, how long will should i wait before doing another water change.
Now you are tying to get me flamed...
The truthful answer is, as often as need.
Test and keep a log and you will figure out your method.
Water changes will keep thing going as you learn. If in doubt take some water out (do a water change)
http:///forum/post/2957244
So i did a water change on wednesday, then added about a gallon or so of water today to lower the salinity (hrs before doing my testing). . . After checking my alkalinity---if i start dosing my tank with Ca and what not, how long will should i wait before doing another water change.
The truthful answer is, as often as need.
Test and keep a log and you will figure out your method.
Water changes will keep thing going as you learn. If in doubt take some water out (do a water change)
hillbillyaq
New Member
hmmmm ok. i see.
Wow now on to these frags.... never had any before. Need to start a new thread for them... wish me luck!
I just found out that i bought a red gonipora when i went frag happy. Now i need to find out what to do to salvage this little guy so that he does not start dying.
Water problem- fixed
My Ignorance- not fixed....
Wow now on to these frags.... never had any before. Need to start a new thread for them... wish me luck!
I just found out that i bought a red gonipora when i went frag happy. Now i need to find out what to do to salvage this little guy so that he does not start dying.
Water problem- fixed
My Ignorance- not fixed....