LOW PH

I have a 30 gallon tank and a 30 gallon at work. my tank at home with dsb needs alittle ph each week . my work tank which is nyc water lol.. needs it 3 times as much. both have live rock and dsb? could there be something missing from the city water? could low calcium levels make a lower ph?thanks for help
 

broomer5

Active Member
Most likely your home water source has a higher initial alkalinity ( carbonates ) and pH, than the NYC water does. Calcium may play a role as well, but I'd guess the alk has more to do with it than anything.
Higher alkalinity freshwater will help to stabalize the pH, the carbonates and bicarbonates tend to neutralize the carbonic acids that are produced in our tanks by fish and plant respiration, while allowing the pH to remain more stable. This is the "buffering" term that is so often referred to.
You could easily prove this to yourself by testing your freshwater at home and at work, with an alkalinity test and pH test.
Both test results would help explain your seeing this phenomena.
 

broomer5

Active Member
You said nothing about fixing it in your original question - I assumed you were just asking a "why" is this happening question.
You can't fix anything until you know for sure what is the root cause of the problem - unless you are one that likes to shoot from the hip with a shotgun, hoping to hit your target.
We have little if any control on the water coming out of our taps, aside from installing and using an RO or RO/DI unit, or buying water from another source.
If you choose to do neither - then I'm afraid you're limited to your "choices" to correct it.
Adding marine buffers, using different freshwater, selecting a different saltmix, reducing your fish load and increasing your water circulation for better CO2 gas equalibrium may be your only hope. Too much CO2 in your tank can cause a significant drop in pH as well.
 

dirtybilge

Member
I live in NYC upper west side, the PH of NYC water is 7.4 All you need to do is use kalwasser to top off your tank and this will rais you ph nicely.
ED :p
 
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