PH Problem ?!?

[Subskipper]

Hello all,

Just wondered if someone could provide some expertise on how I can better maintain my PH. I have a 65G tank running since Feb and my PH always seems to be around 7.8. I have started using Reef Builder to get my PH to 8.3 but I always seem to drop. My water tests out nicely with 0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrites and 0 Nitrates. I have about 130lbs of live rock (tonga and fiji). I do water changes every two weeks (5-10G).

I hope I provided enough info, any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Bernard

 

[marrone]

What type of tank are you planning on having a reef tank or a fowlr? Also what time of day did you do your Ph testing. Ph is lower in the morning, just after the lights come on, than later in the day. You want to make sure that you have good water breakage, a sump is great for this, as this will release Co2 from the water. You also need to be careful as not to keep adding Reef Builder to push your Ph up until you know what your Alk is.

Check the links below on Ph, Alk and Cal:


http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/june2002/chem.htm

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

Michael

 

[Subskipper]

I checked the PH this evening after the lights have been on for around 9 hours. The tank is definately a reef tank with just a few fish and plenty of inverts/corals etc.

I am running the following equipment but do not have a sump per se:

Eheim 2227 Wet Dry
Prizm Protein Skimmer
2 Rio Pumps (600 and 1200 for flow)

Occasionally I start my Diatom filter, running it about once per three weeks for a few hours, the water is crystal clear, I have no algae growth. My bubble coral is twice the size from when I got it, my polyps are blooming and spreading, I have three anenomes (two bulb anenomes and a purple tip), I have shrooms growing and spreading and all seems fine. Except for the PH

I really rather not replace the Eheim, even though everyone tells me to get a real wet dry with sump and a better skimmer, but I learned all of this AFTER I made the purchases and setup the tank.

I will test the ALK and retest the PH and let you know the levels. I appreciate the help!

Subskipper

 

[Subskipper]

Ok after about two hours after adding the reef builder my PH is 8.3 (verified by two different testing kits) and my ALK is 5.5 (verified by my seachem kit).

Thanks

Subskipper

 

[marrone]

There is nothing wrong with your setup except the Eheim wet/dry, I use one on my FO tank, will produce nitrates in the long run. This is fine for a FO or FOWLR tank but with a reef tank your going to need and do more water changes to make sure the nitrates stay low. Also the Prizm skimmer isn't the greatest and you should consider upgrading it to say the Remora Pro hang on series at some point. There really is no need to run a Diatom filter.

Ok at this point your ph is fine and you alk is a little low, should be between 7-10. You want to check you cal and make sure it's in the 400+ range. Please read the 2 link that I supply before they will give you alot of insite into PH, Alk and Cal and their relationship and your coral needs. Also if you plan on having more corals you'll need to start adding Cal, B-Ionic or one of the other 2 part brands will do.

Michael

 

[House of Laughter]

Skipper,

Also, keep an eye on your salts - they may be the culprit on dropping your PH -

I have always been of the philosophy, if it ain't broke don't fix it - if your corals are growing at a noticible rate and all else seems fine - leave well enough alone - but keep it monitored.

My guess is that your Calcium is high and that precipitaes your Alk and messes your PH - I have been battling this as well and have focussed on my Alk to make things right.

Just my $.02

House

 

[4angel]

I was having a problem with my PH a while back. I noticed that the RO DI water I was getting out of my tap was very low in PH almost yellow on the PH color scale say 6.0 or less. so now Im buffing my RODI. This seems to have stablized my PH problem. I have never used Reef Builder is it used for PH ALK or CAl? I use the ESV two part for ALK and CAl. wich will also affect (raise) your PH by the way.

 

[Nanodan]

I noticed the same thing and was noticing that the RO/DI purchased at AF in NJ was @ about 7.3 becuase of the quailty of the tap they start with. So I dose Superbuffer into my makeup water and have been fine since.
Dan

 

[Acropora]

Some other factors to consider. Strong tank circulation and a strong return pump will help add oxygen to your system and help with ph.The location of your tank and sump is also a factor. A previous set up of mine was always running from a low of 7.8 to a high of about 8.0.This set up was located in my basement which did not receive as much air exchange as the rest of my house.
As mentioned above, the two part additives for calcium and alkalinity are excellent. They will raise your Alk,Calcium and PH in proper proportion. You can also drip kalkwasser either solely or in addition to the two part additives to help raise your PH.
Currently I use a Calcium Reactor and a Kalk Reactor to raise my Ph,as well as to supply the needed Calcium and Alk levels.