low PH

small triggers

small triggers

Active Member
have you done a water change lately? i find that at about a week and a half my ph starts lowering when i need to add new saltwater..
 
missnano

missnano

Member
ooh.. i think it was between 7.8 and 8.0? I cant remember it did it at my moms . She said your ph is kinda low.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member

If you use RO water, put Alkalinity buffer in the top off water...it will stablize your PH
Do NOT dose unless you have your own tests. PH at 8.0 is not so bad. 8.2 to 8.4 is perfect.
I am off to work...have a good night!
 
missnano

missnano

Member
I am going tomorrow to see what kinda test they have at the pet store and how much they are. I dont want to get anything else, till i get one of those either.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
Originally Posted by MissNano
http:///forum/post/3227417
ooh.. i think it was between 7.8 and 8.0? I cant remember it did it at my moms . She said your ph is kinda low.
Just out of curiosity where is your tank...compared to where you tested the water???
 
missnano

missnano

Member
my tank is here at my house. I took my water to my moms house. Also i added some saltwater to my tank yesterday, i tested it today (at my house) and it was 1.019 Shouldn't it be higher? Or should i give it a couple more days?
 
keith gray

keith gray

Member
I have found that in the time you move your sample to your Mom's or LFS or wherever the PH can drop too. I would test it right out of your tank
 
L

landscraper

Guest
Sorry to piggyback this thread.. I am having the same prob. on my 90 gal tank.. all RO/Di water.. I am using the API Master test kit (which I have heard someone say the PH test is no good) but I also get a reading of about 7.8. I never heard about doing anything to the RO water.. What should I do, and what product is this? Should I mix it right into the new RO water? My unit drips into a trash can and I have about 40 gals at all times in there with a heater.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
First test the alkalinity. If the alkalinity isn't low then don't try to fix it by increasing alkalinity, you'll just make it worse.
The most common causes of low PH are excess CO2 in the water and/or a build up of metabolic acids from decaying organic matter.
 
L

landscraper

Guest
Thanks.. my tank has just finished cycling so I dont believe it is organic matter... I think the PH was always in the 7.8 range even when I first started it two weeks ago. Also, can you tell me about the CO2 issue and what it is and how it is caused?
Thanks!
 
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