Ph keeps dropping?

A

arbados

Guest
I have had my 55 gallon tank up and running for almost 2 months. Currently I have a Maroon Clown, Copperband Butterfly and a Dragon Wrasse. Have about 75 pounds live rock and about 3 inches of LS.
I test my water about every 4-5 days (is this too much) and for the past month have been consistent with the ammonia nitite and nitrate levels (Amm: 0, NitrIte: 0, NitrAte: 10). The salinity is 1.023.
The Ph, however, has been a problem. When first tested it was 7.8. I let it stand for a couple of weeks and still 7.8. I added some buffer (not sure the name, it is not with me right now) and it went up to 8.2. Then the next day I tested again and it was down to 7.8. Tested again 2-3 days later and still 7.8. Added the buffer again and it went up to 8.2. However, tested it 2 days later and it was down to 7.8? I am not sure what I am doing wrong? Can someone please help. Thanks.
 
wrassecal

wrassecal

Active Member
Just a couple of questions...are you testing the ph at the same time every day? What time of day? Ph usually drops at night.
 
A

arbados

Guest
No I am not. However, I usually test at a time when the lights have been on for a few hours. The time I test varies and it may be at 11:00 am one time and 6pm another. What is considered "night". By this would I be correct in assuming it is considered the time when the lights have been off for a lengthy period of time? Thanks for the reply
 
wrassecal

wrassecal

Active Member
OK, so the easy answer is out. :( Are you doing water changes with ro or di water? How often? Do you let the water aerate with a powerhead for 24 or more hours? This helps the ph in the new water adjust. What salt do you use? Are you adding any chemicals? What? Sorry for all the questions. Since your tank is only a couple months old a 20% water change once a week for a couple weeks might solve your problem. Sometimes a ph problem can be somewhat complicated and if your chemistry is off you may need to be testing for some other things. Do a search on the board for Ph. Broomer5 and Bang Guy have some great info on the interactions of different things and various ways to fix them. Hopefully your problem won't be too complicated.
 
jlem

jlem

Active Member
One of the simplist things to do is increase water movement through the rocks. If you place a powerhead low in the tank blowing across the back it may help raise the ph by breaking up any stagnant areas.
 
beaslbob

beaslbob

Well-Known Member
i had a ph drop to your levels after about 2 months in my 55g. I used baking soda to buffer which did seem to bring the ph back up. the main thing was that after 4 -6 months of being set up, the tank is now at 8.2-8.4 on its own with no addives from me. I guess the bottom line is that ph seemed to be the final thing to stablize in the cycle.
 
toddpolish

toddpolish

Member
I was gonna say the same thing about the Copperband Butterfly - I heard (on the board) 6months for your tank to mature. I love those fish. Can't wait to get one myself.
 
wilioli

wilioli

Member
is a ph drop after adding live rock normal? sorry, i cant start threads, and can only post in old ones... and i chose this one ! lol thanks
 
wilioli

wilioli

Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gemmy http:///forum/thread/77350/ph-keeps-dropping#post_3318809
Did you confirm your email?
I did not have a PH drop after adding live rock.
yea i confirmed.. for the longest time i couldnt post into threads either.. for some reason that started working.. .like i click post, and then it just stays on the "sending" screen.. and i have to close the window for the message to have been posted... and no ph drop ehhh :S
 
wangotango

wangotango

Active Member
7.8 isn't outrageously low, but adding kalk to your top-off water will help keep the pH up.
On a side note, your SG could be higher, ~1.026ish.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by WangoTango http:///forum/thread/77350/ph-keeps-dropping#post_3318853
7.8 isn't outrageously low, but adding kalk to your top-off water will help keep the pH up.
On a side note, your SG could be higher, ~1.026ish.

+1
However I don't have Kalk...I use Kents Alkalinity buffer, it works the same. The Kalk I had came with no instructions so I didn't trust it, the buffer says exactly how much to add to how much water.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///forum/thread/77350/ph-keeps-dropping#post_3318989

+1
However I don't have Kalk...I use Kents Alkalinity buffer, it works the same. The Kalk I had came with no instructions so I didn't trust it, the buffer says exactly how much to add to how much water.
That's interesting because the dosage needs to be individually tailored to the Carbonate consumption rate of your reef. There is no one size fits all dosage for alkalinity.
Kalk (actually "Lime") adds Calcium in a balanced ratio in addition to Carbonate.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bang Guy http:///forum/thread/77350/ph-keeps-dropping#post_3319026
That's interesting because the dosage needs to be individually tailored to the Carbonate consumption rate of your reef. There is no one size fits all dosage for alkalinity.
Kalk (actually "Lime") adds Calcium in a balanced ratio in addition to Carbonate.

No but it does say x amount per gallon..I use a 3g jug for filling my top off tank, and I use 1/4th teaspoon. Your right it had to be adjusted from the point they gave. I was scared to death of the Kalk, it didn't give a starting point, I asked the LFS and the guy never heard of it, I had read about kalk online...Then I found this site..
I had used the alkalinity buffer before so I stuck with it.
Kalk could be bought online but not in any fish stores, around here anyways. Same with that Mrs Wages pickling lime...can't find it anywhere.
 
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