help raising ph

[glowplug]

I have had my tank about a year and a half, ph is 7.8, everything seems fine, but I have been kinda out of the hobby for while, what can I do to get it where it needs to be and if i want to do corals where should it be?

 

[sly]

What are your calcium and alk levels? If these are off then it can result in a low pH. How long has it been since you did a waterchange?

 

[glowplug]

20% WC 2 days ago, No idea on cal or alk--need some test kits!!! just have the basic. lots more WC in order?

 

[michaeltx]

what is your newly made water testing at on PH>?
if the PH is imbalanced in the new water it will cause an imbalance in the tank.
Mike

 

[sly]

You can raise your pH by simply adding baking soda (premixed) to your topoff water. However low pH can be caused by low alkalinity. You really need to do some water tests before you start changing your pH. If pH is not really the problem and you try to raise it anyway then you could create a chemical imbalance in your water (such as calcium coming out of solution).

 

[ophiura]

As noted, there can be several reason for low pH. And you shouldn't mess with buffers and such until you have the complete picture (minimum alk and calcium readings).
Do you have glass tops on the tank? If so, you can even try taking the tops off for a few days and seeing if that impacts pH.
Even time of day impacts the reading so take at least two - at the end of the day and before lights come on.