Should I be trying to raise my Ph?

symphony

symphony

Member
Hi all,
My tank is now two weeks old with 20lbs live sand and 39lbs live rock in my 28g nano. Water is nice and clear, I have added a artic mini chiller to stabilize my temps, I have had no fluctuations in my water levels since start up. Ph 7.7, ammonia and nitrites 0, nitrate 12.5, spec. gravity 1.026-1.027.
I do have the hitchhiking blenny (rocky) as I said before, and some zoos, I have also found a very tiny snail, and last night found a small furry crab in the rock. he is about the size of a penny, very furry, looks kinda like trantula legs, he never comes out of the hole in the rock completely. so I am trying to be very careful with my little critters in the tank, I want them to live. my Ph has never gone above 7.7, should I be trying to raise it somehow, or should I just wait for the cycle to do it's thing? I'll post some updated pictures.




 
naclh2o nut

naclh2o nut

Member
Yes, raise your PH should be around 8.3. Do this very slow IMO from 7.7 atleast over two weeks with adjustments every other day. This should have been set before critters added.
I have been looking for your blenny, LFS says he has ordered but still none.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Buffers do not fix pH problems. They help, but it's not a long term solution. Remove all of your glass tops and coverings. If you are that concerned with fish jumping, go to home depot and ask for "egg crate" it's going to be with the lighting area in construction.
Next, add extra flow to your tank, so that the water from the bottom of the aquarium is pushed to the top. Gas exchanges will help your tank's pH raise tremendously.
 
symphony

symphony

Member
Originally Posted by NaClH2O Nut
http:///forum/post/2954966
Yes, raise your PH should be around 8.3. Do this very slow IMO from 7.7 atleast over two weeks with adjustments every other day. This should have been set before critters added.
I have been looking for your blenny, LFS says he has ordered but still none.
all critters are hitchhikers, I did not intend to have them yet. The blenny is very cool, and a funny little guy. Hope you are able to get one, my dogs even enjoy watching him.
 
natclanwy

natclanwy

Active Member
As said earlier you can't change your PH with buffers long term, you need to figure out why the PH is low and correct the condition. Possible causes could be CO2 buildup, or Alkalinity, Calcium, or Magnesium parameters that are out of balance. I wouldn't worry about it to much until your cycle is complete the high levels of nitrite and nitrate will have an effect on PH also.
You can test for excess CO2 by Testing the PH in your tank then filling a jar with tank water take it outside and fan air into the jar (don't blow into the jar) cap the jar and shake it for 30 seconds. Repeat fanning air into the jar and shaking a few times then retest your PH if it is significantly higher you have a gas exchange problem and need to do any or all of the following remove glass tops, add additional flow, redirect PHs to disturb the surface, get a surface skimmer.
FIY 7.7 is low but not dangerously so if in the end you have made sure everthing is correct and it is still at 7.7 your fish and coral will be fine.
 
symphony

symphony

Member
okay, did the jar test thing, no change in ph. took a sample to LFS, they said ph is 7.9. Bought a test kit for calcium.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
If it were me I would change about 1/2 of the water.
If you do this then "age" the fresh saltwater for a day and add the new water slowly so the PH doesn't climb too fast.
It's not at a critical level but it does indicate an abundance of metabolic acids.
 
geoj

geoj

Active Member
Originally Posted by natclanwy
http:///forum/post/2955125
As said earlier you can't change your PH with buffers long term, you need to figure out why the PH is low and correct the condition. Possible causes could be CO2 buildup, or Alkalinity, Calcium, or Magnesium parameters that are out of balance. I wouldn't worry about it to much until your cycle is complete the high levels of nitrite and nitrate will have an effect on PH also.
You can test for excess CO2 by Testing the PH in your tank then filling a jar with tank water take it outside and fan air into the jar (don't blow into the jar) cap the jar and shake it for 30 seconds. Repeat fanning air into the jar and shaking a few times then retest your PH if it is significantly higher you have a gas exchange problem and need to do any or all of the following remove glass tops, add additional flow, redirect PHs to disturb the surface, get a surface skimmer.
FIY 7.7 is low but not dangerously so if in the end you have made sure everthing is correct and it is still at 7.7 your fish and coral will be fine.
I have to say that this is a really smart test

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