ph question

[fishead]

I usually do a 10 gal. water change once a month but havnt done it in over 2 months. all perameters look good. amon,nitrite,nitrate are zero. Alkalinity is 3.5 mg/L and calcium is 500 mg/L but ph is low about 7.5 Is this to low and what is the recomended water change for a 55gal.tank. PS salinity is 1.025 .... THANX

 

[salty rick]

Your PH is too low. It should be around 8.3. I am not sure but I think that the Alkalinity is low too. I don't know what the mg/l should be but the Alk sould be around 8 dK. I don't know how to convert mg/l to dK. Keeping the Alk up helps maintain the PH at the right level. Others please correct me if I am wrong.

 

[fishead]

translates to 9.7 dKH ,thanks

 

[zack schwartz]

There are dones of products on the market right now that raise your ph and alk. Just buy one and mix in with water. FOLLOW THE DIRECTION THROUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
ZACK

 

[broomer5]

fishead,
Your pH is indeed too low. 7.5 pH is not so good for a marine reef tank.
I would do as Zack mentioned and slowly start adding some marine pH buffer mixed in with your top off water, until you get the pH up to around 8.2 - 8.3
Low pH will allow more calcium in solution - 500 mg/l is excessively high in my opinion.
Your alkalinity looks fine.
Normally the higher the pH - the less calcium with water will hold. In your case - just the opposite holds true.
Having a pH of 8.2 to 8.4 will decrease chances of nusiance algae growth, is more close to natural seawater, and I'm sure your fish/inverts will appreciate it as well.
SeaChem makes a nice marine buffer - powder form - that mixes with freshwater easily, and will do the trick. Just go slow over a week or two and don't add too much too fast.
You may want to add additional water circulation too. Excessive CO2 gas in solution will account for a low pH level as well. Adding more gas exchange at the tank water surface may help to keep your pH up - somewhat.
I wouldn't be surprised if your calcium level drops down to around 400 mg/l or so .. as you increase your pH up to 8.3

 

[fishead]

i added some ESV brand B-IONIC 2 component additive today, number 1 increases alkalinity and #2 increases calcium i'm not sure how to use product. says 1 ml per 4 gal. i put in 12ml of each. it says daily though and my calcium is all ready high. are you familier w/ this product? (55gal. tank)

 

[ed r]

You need to check your pH regularly so you notice it before it gets near the 7.5 level. I avoid most additives, where possible. Isn't the new saltwater you change with 8.3? If so, water changes should get it back near where you want it. Do not make sudden changes. Going from 7.5 to 8.3 would be better done over a few days, certainly not over a few hours. The additive you used may be a good one, but if you don't know how to use it properly, don't. Someone here can perhaps give you the right information regarding it. Until you know for sure, you could make matters worse.