Questions regarding pH & maintenance

cdarnold

cdarnold

New Member
I have a 20 gal. aquarium thats been running for 9-10 months now.
Current inhabitants:
1 yellow clown goby
12 or so blue leg hermit crabs
1 bahama star
3 bumblebee snails
I've got an underground filter covered by 2-3" crushed coral, a Penguin 170 biowheel filter, and various decorations.
My test results have always been pretty good except for pH. It is always 7.8.
Today when I did my weekly water change of 7-8 gallons I tested the old water compared to the new. Old: 7.8 New: 8.4
This tells me the problem is with my tank environment. What's going on in there? Not enough water flow? Bad filtration? I don't see any detrius buildup anywhere.
My other test results:
Ammonia: 0
Nitrites: 0
Nitrates: between 10 & 20
Specific gravity: 1.0215
Other questions:
I have an Aquarium Pharmaceuticals master liquid test kit. Do I need other test equipment?
Are my weekly 7-8 gal. water changes sufficient? Too much? Too little?
Other suggestions based on the pictues?
As always I thank you for your help.
P.S. I don't have the damsel in the pictures anymore.

 
eaglewonj

eaglewonj

Member
I have a 20 gallon and API test kit and my pH is 7.8. I also have CC which could be part of it. I get the feeling crushed coral may buffer the environment to 7.8. Not sure, but we'll see what others say, because I am curious. I am also happy to know that fish are ok in 7.8.
 
eaglewonj

eaglewonj

Member
Ahh there it is, back on the first picture where you have the profile of the CC you can see some crap in it. I'm going to guess, and bang guy, back me up if i get it right, that you should clean and siphon that gravel in addition to not using the UGF.
 
N

nereef

Guest
under gravel filters will lower pH because the bacteria living there will use up O2. also, the decaying whatsit under the undergravel will also contribute to a lower pH.
However, a constant pH of 7.8 isn't bad.
 
lion_crazz

lion_crazz

Active Member
I personally think a pH of 7.8 is a bit low. I would indeed try to get it up.
When you do water changes, do you make sure to dig deep into that crushed coral to remove all the detritus?
Have you tried increasing the flow in your tank by adding a powerhead in there?
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Originally Posted by cdarnold
I've heard that inverts need a higher pH. Am I hurting them with 7.8?
The PH isn't hurting them at all. The oxygen deprivation will shorted their lifespan.
 
ophiura

ophiura

Active Member
YOu can have several issues going on as well.
Yoiu do not have a calcium based rock, like live rock.
You may not have enough circulation in the tank, and the top restricts gas exchange.
As an aside, your low specific gravity is exceedingly stressful for invertebrates. That is far more of a concern to me than the pH.
 
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