low ph
- Thread starter stephenie
- Start date
gregvabch
Active Member
i think that cc is known to keep the ph right about where you want it; with sand you will have to monitor it more closely, and add ph adjusters to keep it where you want it. as far as not worrying about the ph while the tank is cycling, that really depends on what is in the tank. if you're cycling with damsels you should consider bringing the ph up a little over 8 instead of a little under where it's at now.
broomer5
Active Member
A drop of pH in a cycling tank is not only normal, it's expected.
The activities of the new growing bacteria colonies create acids.
These acids will pull the pH down.
Once the tank cycles - and ammonia/nitrite are at zero - most folks do a partial water change.
Dosing a buffer would be an option at that time too.
I've never buffered a cycling tank though.
The activities of the new growing bacteria colonies create acids.
These acids will pull the pH down.
Once the tank cycles - and ammonia/nitrite are at zero - most folks do a partial water change.
Dosing a buffer would be an option at that time too.
I've never buffered a cycling tank though.
stillfrodo
Member
Broomer will the cycle also raise alk/kh. I use salifert tests my tank is cycling right now with LR.
The ph was 7.7
Kh 12,8 and alk 4.57
calcium was 300.
Ammonia and trates are off the charts.
Are these normal readings for a cycling tank?
The ph was 7.7
Kh 12,8 and alk 4.57
calcium was 300.
Ammonia and trates are off the charts.
Are these normal readings for a cycling tank?
broomer5
Active Member
stillfrodo
Hard to say - I don't know if there are "normal" readings for a cycling tank.
Each of us set up our tanks a little different, use different freshwater and saltmixes and have different water circulation and lighting.
All of these things make it so hard to say what is normal.
Also - I don't start doing extensive testing on the tankwater of a cycling tank until things settle down ( after cycle is finished, after first official water change )
Until then - things are sort of unpredictable.
But I'll guess if you want.
I'll guess you used Instant Ocean and RO water ( or distilled ).
I'll guess you have 2 small powerheads in the tank.
I'll guess you have about 25 lbs of live rock.
I'll guess you are about 1-1/2 to 2 weeks into the cycle.
Guessing can be very dangerous
Hard to say - I don't know if there are "normal" readings for a cycling tank.
Each of us set up our tanks a little different, use different freshwater and saltmixes and have different water circulation and lighting.
All of these things make it so hard to say what is normal.
Also - I don't start doing extensive testing on the tankwater of a cycling tank until things settle down ( after cycle is finished, after first official water change )
Until then - things are sort of unpredictable.
But I'll guess if you want.
I'll guess you used Instant Ocean and RO water ( or distilled ).
I'll guess you have 2 small powerheads in the tank.
I'll guess you have about 25 lbs of live rock.
I'll guess you are about 1-1/2 to 2 weeks into the cycle.
Guessing can be very dangerous
stillfrodo
Member
Sorry I should of been more specific.
92 gallon tank
140lbs LR
DSB
2 802 powerheads
mag pump in a sump hey that ryhmes LOL
protein skimmer
tank has been cycling about 2 weeks.
BTW I read the alk/kh tests wrong. They are lower alk is at 1.0
so makes more sense now.
92 gallon tank
140lbs LR
DSB
2 802 powerheads
mag pump in a sump hey that ryhmes LOL
protein skimmer
tank has been cycling about 2 weeks.
BTW I read the alk/kh tests wrong. They are lower alk is at 1.0
so makes more sense now.
stillfrodo
Member
Oh I used IO and RO water.