should I raise my pH?

[92protruck]

after mixed results from different test kits I picked up a pinpoint monitor. According to the pinpoint my pH is 7.94 in the a.m. and 8.08 in the p.m. Seems low to me. Do you recommend I raise it or leave it. Tank has been running this way 1 1/2 years. Using RO/DI water and IO salt. The only thing I add is B-Ionic daily. I have not buffered my RO/DI topoff water. Thanks for your opinions.

 

[perk3211]

I'd try to raise it to 8.3- 8.4

 

[bang guy]

should I raise my pH?
No, never raise your PH. Try to find out why it's low and fix the problem.

 

[ophiura]

What is your alkalinity?
What is your calcium?
What is the circulation in the tank?
Do you have glass tops?
IMO, the levels are not really an issue. The levels seem stable, obviously it has been running fine for quite awhile.

 

[92protruck]

Bang Guy, how would I go about finding out why it is low and fix it? I think it is low because I use RO/DI water for topoff.

 

[92protruck]

for Ophiura,
Ca 410
dkh/alk 8.5/ 3.03mg/l
sump return pump + 2 MJ 900's - 900gph (72 bowfront - softies can't take anymore flow)
open top
Temp range 78.7 - 79.5
weekly 10 gal water changes
*auto top-off with RO/DI that sits in a 5 gal bucket with gravity feed to float valve in sump
I think the RO/DI might be the problem. The pH of the RO/DI is 6.00 and it takes about 1 gal per day. I am thinking a gal a day over a long period would keep the pH low? No? Maybe the weekly water changes with IO don't keep up over the long haul? Any and all suggestions welcome.

 

[bang guy]

No, the PH of the RO/DI water doesn't matter at all.
Overfeeding, detritus + all of Ophiura's questions. Around 8.0 isn't worth being concerned about as long as major trace elements are fine, there's no dirty filters or accumulated detritus, and the skimmer is operating efficiently.

 

[92protruck]

Thanks Bang Guy. umm...I don't think overfeeding or detritus (I siphon the LR weekly during water changes) and I have no mechanical filtration. Just a skimmer (Aqua C Remora Pro in the sump) that seems to do a good job although I have nothing to compare too. Should I try to add another power head (which will be very difficult as explained above - I have mostly shrooms and ricordia and they are already unhappy with too much flow) or maybe a powerhead in the sump?

 

[bang guy]

If it were me and everything looks happy I would not change anything.