low PH
- Thread starter superb
- Start date
hardcrab67
Member
I had the same problem, raised my pwrhd closer to the water surface and that brought it up. Only to 8.0 from 7.8, so I've read that circulating you water change for 48hrs before doing it will increase the ph, trying that now. Tried the 8.3 marine buffer but this only brought it up for a couple days, then it would drop, probally because my top-off is reading neutral 7.0. I know the "Reefers" are going to yell at me, but I was only mixing my salt in a 3 stage bucket system to dissolve and adding it w/in a couple hrs. Never a problem w/ salinty, but can't stabilize the the ph. I've read that if your ph is stable, your top-off should not lower it. Just some thoughts.
crzyfshygy
Member
3 great ways to raise PH are:
1) Everyday for about 1 week open all the windows in your house to release the carbon dioide. The fresh air will raise it!!!
2) Get another light...nothing expensive. Metal camping fixture with a decent bulb from LOWES and put it on your sump when the lights go out on the tank. Keep it on till they go on in the morning. Do that for a couple weeks. Your PH will permanently raise a couple points REVERSE LIGHTING CYCLE.
3) Whats your ALK at ? Test it....if you have room to buff it...do it. You should be around 4.0 total ALK (MYPREFERENCE) if you are at 2.5 then buff it. That will rasie.
Also aerating your water will not raise PH...it will lower it. Trust me on this!
1) Everyday for about 1 week open all the windows in your house to release the carbon dioide. The fresh air will raise it!!!
2) Get another light...nothing expensive. Metal camping fixture with a decent bulb from LOWES and put it on your sump when the lights go out on the tank. Keep it on till they go on in the morning. Do that for a couple weeks. Your PH will permanently raise a couple points REVERSE LIGHTING CYCLE.
3) Whats your ALK at ? Test it....if you have room to buff it...do it. You should be around 4.0 total ALK (MYPREFERENCE) if you are at 2.5 then buff it. That will rasie.
Also aerating your water will not raise PH...it will lower it. Trust me on this!
hardcrab67
Member
Okay well in 24hrs, my aerated SW for the waterchange has a pH reading of 8.4. That just amazes me that it raises from neutral 7.0 to 8.4 that quickly, no buffer at all. Do people aerate their top-off to raise the pH as well? Sorry to say Crzyfshygy, I did not share your experience w/ lower readings, mine went up and I have read some of the benefits of aerating your water, FW or SW. The reason I ask about top-off, with FW I was always trying to lower my pH from neutral for cichlids(discus like 6.3) I have run my refuge light 24/7 and notice my take has increased as well. Now that its established and pulling trates, I'm thinking of going back to running opposite time as my main tank lights. Read that was a way to keep pH stable. Thoughts anybody?
crzyfshygy
Member
Your NEW batch of saltwater is different that your tank water. Aearating the tank water will LOWER your PH. Your new batch if mixed properly should already have a good PH of 8.1-8.3 with aearation.
hardcrab67
Member
ok, I'm refering to a powerhead to create wave action, not throwing an airstone in the tank.