pH reading 8.4

[lovehatejon]

so i am a little over one week into cycling my 20gal. tank and i have been doing test religiously.
i added buffer once the first day of setup and my pH is reading stably 8.4 without flinching even after i replaced evaporated water. is this a good level?
also is it good that my de-chlorinated tap water is at a steady 8.4 pH?
should i not use my tap water anymore?
thanks!

 

[kaingers]

If your tap water is putting out a pH reading of 8.4, I wouldn't be adding any more buffer for your top offs! Thats an acceptable reading, but I would be careful not to exceed it. Can't wait to see pictures of the tank!

 

[lovehatejon]

oh no. i only put buffer in once when i was just setting it up.
and my pH has been 8.4 for about a week and a half even after a top off.
my ammonia levels are rising, but of course thats normal while cycling
eveything is going grand so far, i hope it stays that way.
most likely there will be picture when the cycles done and i can stock

 

[posiden]

As the cycle continues and the bacteria levels build in your tank, don't be suprised if the ph drops. The acidity from the bacteria will cause the ph to lower some.
If you have plans on this being a reef tank, I would not use your tap water unless you have some darned good tap water. Only testing will confirm or deniy that. TDS is a good start.
RO/DI is your best bet if reef is the goal.

 

[lovehatejon]

no, im setting up a FOWLR, reef seems out of my league.
but thanks for the tip with he bacteria!
its strange, doing top offs with freshwater doesn't budge anything but the ammonia slighty. it slows down the cycle but im in nooo rush.
i also checked freshly made saltwater and the pH was at 8.2
then after 24hrs of adding that.. nothing. the pH is solid.

 

[posiden]

How much evap do you get each day?

 

[lovehatejon]

hmmm, idunno maybe 1cm a day.
i honestly believe i have a small leak. theres always this one side that has salt crust on it near the seam.
i think im going to pick up some aquarium silicone sealant.

 

[posiden]

Originally Posted by LoveHateJon
http:///forum/post/3177186
hmmm, idunno maybe 1cm a day.
i honestly believe i have a small leak. theres always this one side that has salt crust on it near the seam.
i think im going to pick up some aquarium silicone sealant.

So if you clean off the crust, it comes back?
1cm, how big is the tank? sorry if I missed it.

 

[lovehatejon]

Originally Posted by Posiden
http:///forum/post/3177191
So if you clean off the crust, it comes back?
1cm, how big is the tank? sorry if I missed it.
yepp. never fails. i just stopped cleaning it.
its a 20 gallon.
i dont know how much for sure the amount of water loss there is.
but, in a week i would say about roughly an inch is gone every week.

 

[posiden]

Originally Posted by LoveHateJon
http:///forum/post/3177298
yepp. never fails. i just stopped cleaning it.
its a 20 gallon.
i dont know how much for sure the amount of water loss there is.
but, in a week i would say about roughly an inch is gone every week.
Have you checked your gravity lately?
Do you have a HOB or a drain that might be leaking causing water to run somewhere else making you think it is the tank?

 

[lovehatejon]

Originally Posted by Posiden
http:///forum/post/3177303
Have you checked your gravity lately?
Do you have a HOB or a drain that might be leaking causing water to run somewhere else making you think it is the tank?
yes, my gravity has stood the same, that's why i believe it to be a tank leak.
i checked my HOB filter and nothing appears to be leaking
also that one side i mentioned, and there seems to be the same salty crust on the the floor directly under where the crust appears on the tank.
if there is a leak it seems to be coming out as tiny drops, because there's no signs of major water spillage.

 

[posiden]

Originally Posted by LoveHateJon
http:///forum/post/3177330
yes, my gravity has stood the same, that's why i believe it to be a tank leak.
i checked my HOB filter and nothing appears to be leaking
also that one side i mentioned, and there seems to be the same salty crust on the the floor directly under where the crust appears on the tank.
if there is a leak it seems to be coming out as tiny drops, because there's no signs of major water spillage.
Sounds like a good time to get a bigger tank.

 

[lovehatejon]

Originally Posted by Posiden
http:///forum/post/3177346
Sounds like a good time to get a bigger tank.

yeah your probably right!

i also have a 72gal.
but you see, im only 16.
and i dont have the money to get the proper equipment for a big tank like that.
haha, i need a job

maybe when i save up. and build knowledgde with the 20. then ill set up the 72.
but do you think it will be good to hit up the seam on the outside with aquarium safe sealant?

 

[posiden]

Originally Posted by LoveHateJon
http:///forum/post/3177478
yeah your probably right!

i also have a 72gal.
but you see, im only 16.
and i dont have the money to get the proper equipment for a big tank like that.
haha, i need a job

maybe when i save up. and build knowledgde with the 20. then ill set up the 72.
but do you think it will be good to hit up the seam on the outside with aquarium safe sealant?

I think your issue will be keeping it dry. Your gonna need to drain it to keep the area dry, So you might as well seal it from the inside and then it is right.
You can put everything in a tub and place a heater and a powerhead in there to keep things going untill the tank is sealed. Do a good water test before you decide it is done. You don't want to jump the gun and put everyone back in the pool and discover it still leaks. If all goes well, you will be down a week IMO.