Will low calcium effect pH?

dhughesz28

dhughesz28

Member
Currently my calcium is around 320. Its FOWLR (except one small piece of Xenia) I can’t seem to get my pH to stay at 8.3. Its 8.0 right now. .
I’m using RO water with Instant Ocean salt mix
If its not calcium, what else can I do to raise pH? I have tryed 8.3 pH Buffer bySeaChem, and it works, but doesnt last....
 
diablo

diablo

Member
check your kh :yes:
the 3 are all related try to add some reef builder (you already have the buffer) raise kh to about 12 and see if your ph will balance :D
kh 12
ph 8.3
calcium should be raised too. 400+
 
ophiura

ophiura

Active Member
Go to the archive forum and read up on alkalinity, pH, and calcium (also magnesium). There are excellent articles there. Never add buffer to a tank unless your alkalinity is low. Your pH at 8.0 is not bad. Also keep in mind that not all pH 'issues" are due to alkalinity/calcium...but that carbon dioxide accumulation for poor gas exchange/circulation also plays a role.
 
dhughesz28

dhughesz28

Member
Thanks for your replies
ophiura, I was thinking too that it might be poor circulation... I figured that I have 600 GPH between my filter and PH ( 330 & 270 respectively). This would give be about 13x flow for my 46gal FOWLR. (But I really shouldnt say FOWLR cause I just bought a small frag of xenia a week ago :D .) The surface gets kicked up pretty good too
So, should I add another power head?
:happyfish
 
ophiura

ophiura

Active Member
The way it is tested is to take a gallon or so of water, set it aside, and aggitate in overnight (say with a airstone and air pump). If the pH goes up, then you could have some CO2 accumulation that could be an issue. But with good surface aggitation in your tank, it may be somewhat less of a concern. Do you have a skimmer?
 
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