How are these readings?

[jba6511]

I plan on doing a water change tomorrow. I tested today and got the following:
Temp: 80
S.G. 1.023
PH 8.0
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5.0 or 10 (hard to distinguish color)
Is there anything that can be done to bring the PH to 8.2 - I have some Kent's supperbuffer dKH. Currently have snails, hermit crabs, and 2 clown fish in my 10 gallon. Plan on adding a crab, shrimp or one more small fish in the near future.

 

[myrtle beach]

Temp. down one or two degrees maybe.
pH up a bit, there are addatives.

 

[myrtle beach]

SG could be higher. 1.025 for inverts is good.
Nitrate should be 0. Is your tank just finishing cycling? Start with a damsel or clowns to make sure all is clear.

 

[renogaw]

yes, add the Fish of Death (AKA damsel) so you can go fishing for it later

don't worry about your pH. it will fluctuate throught the day depending on the time of day. the nitrates will come down with sand, water changes, algae consumption, etc. 5-10 is not bad.
also, do get your salinity up a little more.

 

[big911dog]

i like a product called proper ph 8.2. works like a charm! i've seen it in just about every lfs i've ever been in. hth

 

[jba6511]

so would you guys recommend using the buffer?

 

[vpotts28]

Your temp is fine right where its at. Your ph is ok, most like it around 8.2-8.3 but 8.0 is not a problem. As long as your ammonia and nitrites are at zero, nitrates are fine at 5-10, regular weekly-biweekly water changes will keep it in check. Do not add damsel fish, except maybe a few green chromis. Damsel fish are not friendly and are highly territorial, and the introduction of one before any other fish may result in trouble. Do not use PH buffers, if your ph is a problem (which yours is not), it is a result of something else. Ph buffers do not fix the problem.