water quality and pH

[shawnra]

I have a question about the pH in my tank and was hoping for some suggestions.
I have a 55 gal with about 50 lbs live rock, fish, inverts and a couple of small corals. It has been up and running for about a year. The water stats all seem to be good (no2 - 0, no3 - 0, ammonia 0, temp 77, kh is about9), but the pH is only about 7.8. The RO/DI water I use for water changes has a pH around 8.2. Why would the pH in the tank be so much lower? How do I raise it?
Guy at the LFS said I need more flow, but I already have 2 MJ 1200s blowing near the surface and I'm running a fluval 304 in addition to that, so I think it should be adequate, but I'm not sure.
Suggestions?

 

[weberian]

I had a similar problem and I wasn't getting enough fresh air in the room I have my tank.
You might try increasing the kh to 10 or 11. And monitor calcium levels at the same time.
The nitrogen cycle decreases pH over time, so just keep the tank relatively clean and do not overfeed, change water regularly, etc.

 

[misfit]

Originally Posted by Weberian
I had a similar problem and I wasn't getting enough fresh air in the room I have my tank.
You might try increasing the kh to 10 or 11. And monitor calcium levels at the same time.
The nitrogen cycle decreases pH over time, so just keep the tank relatively clean and do not overfeed, change water regularly, etc.
Agreed, good advise

 

[shawnra]

And how does one go about raising kH?
What about chemicals for directly raising pH?

 

[misfit]

You can use them but I wouldnt .Your PH, calcium and ALK work together.If you use chemicals to fix one, you will probably have a n off balance of the other.Better to find why your PH isnt right and fix that.Just my experience

 

[glowplug]

i would love some tips on how to raise ph also :bump:

 

[fishy7]

Hye Glowplug
I use baking soda to raise Alk. Just mix it in with top off water and away you go. I put 12 teaspoons to a 5 gal jug. I raise it very slowly.
I use a Kent Marine buffer to raise ph. See instrctions on bottle. :joy:

 

[glowplug]

Yeah ive been picking up some more soft corals and was wondering if I should be thinking abut additives, I hate the idea but if I need to I can cope with it! Im not to sure what I should be checking for other than the usual stuff, I had my alk tested and the LFS said it was 150- I think he might have been checking a GCH hagen testkit so not sure how accurate but he said it needed to be between 140 and 170 whatever it was, i religious with WC'es 10% 2x a week using regular tropic marin, Not sure if im needing additives but my ph is allways 8.0, now its creeping down to 7.8 (cheap test kit may be wrong) I am going to test with a better kit but not freaking out too much right now, any tips Fishy7

 

[fishy7]

Hey glowplug,
Just a couple of questions to clarify.
I am not sure if I read it correctly, you do 10% 2 times a week? Which is 20% per week?
What are you exactly testing for and what are your readings?
Mine are as follows:
PH 8.2
CA 440
Trates 0
Trites 0
Ammonia 0
Alk 5.4
Mag 1440
Phos 0
Temp 80
SG 1.026
Normally I really do not add any additives to my tank. The ones I am adding now is to correct a long standing issue. My alk has been REAL low since day one.
I am currently using Marine environment salt which is supposed to be the best on the market. I have used it for one water change so far and I notice a huge change in my corals. They all open up and the color is much brighter.

Hammer
yellow polyps
a bunch of zoos
pulsing xwnia
leather
daisey polyps
:joy:

 

[glowplug]

10% every 3 or 4 days, all I have tests for is sg,ph, trite, trate, & ammo---I told the LFS that I wanted to test my alk and he told me it was 150, saying you want between 140-170 with a hagen test kit. --so im a little lost on that I NEED to do more research on soft corals!! If im just doing softies do I need to test for MAG(magnesium?)? And Im sure need to test for ca! Also curious if your xenia is pumping, I really want white pom pom pumping xenia--are they tough?

 

[fishy7]

10% every 3/4 days seems a bit much. They recommend 25% per month. If you change out to much water it could start a cycle. IMO I would not change that much.
As far as the xenia. it is pulsing and it is hardy.

 

[glowplug]

well I change 1.5g every 3 or 4 days on a 20g. I do this because I dont run a skimmer and I just pull water, only vacum sand in 1 spot every 4th change cause it gets kind of dirty, maybe I should slow down but im obsesive compulsive with my tank and im home a lot. I tinker too much! But as my tank is young I get dirty bron nasty algae on my rock, drives me crazy!

Thats also why i clean too much! But I test before and after so I dont think im shocking the tank. Do you happen to know if stuff like star polyps like a lot of flow or not so much, Thnaks smart guy!

 

[fishy7]

Understand on the water changes. No skimmer can make things a little more challenging.

Have any plans to get one soon? It will make your life a little easier.
I am the same way with my tank. Alway messing around with it. adjusting cleaning and so on.
What do you have in your tank?
Med flow on the star polyps. In general, polyps like dirty water. I keep my tank clean and they do real good.
Ohh I am not mr smartguy.

Just study my but off and learn as much as possible with our hobby. There is a lot of stuff and ways to waste money.

 

[glowplug]

I would love a skimmer but they are soooo big on a 20g long! I would love to get one if they could just make a GOOD small one I would jump on it! I have 2 kinds of shrooms, 2kinds of star polyps, and just got a frag of zoos. LOVE EM! Skunk shrimp, Occ. clown, rainfordi/courtjester goby and the little bugger wont hardly eat! Ive tried EVERYTHING i can think of!

 

[fishy7]

Well you need to upgrade to 100 then you will not have the skimmer problem.

I understand what you mean with size. Awkward.
Very nice setup with a good amount of fishies.
Tried garlic soaked food? :thinking:

 

[glowplug]

This is what Ive tried to feed him, its crazy, New Life Marine-Frozen mysis shrimp-Cyclopeez-Frozen Brine with Spirulina- And Nori, Then I tried ALL of that saoked it garlic!!!The only thing he will really hit is Live brine shrimp because the stupid LFS got him used to that!!!! SO MAD

 

[fishy7]

try mixing a little brine with marine cusine. See if that works. The first good all my fish took to was the marine cusine.

 

[glowplug]

what is marine cusine, never heard of it! And here I was thinking I allready bought every food out there! Ive allready spent more on food than the fish cost and ive only had him a week and a half!

 

[mikeyjer]

Originally Posted by shawnra
And how does one go about raising kH?
What about chemicals for directly raising pH?
I have a 55 gallon reef tank going and I do around 25% water change a month. In the middle I do add additives to keep my corals happy. I've been adding additives for a long time now, it's a routine for me. I add Reef Complete twice a week and add SeaChem Marine Buffer once a week to buff up Alkaline & PH. My Alkaline & PH tend to drop because of the reef complete additive and by dosing once a week, it kicks back up. :happyfish

 

[fishy7]

Marine cusine is a frozen food that comes in cubes. I would mix frozen brine and some marine cuisine and let it ride. Check your LFS I am sure they will have it.