FishProfiles.com Message Forums

The criticals...

pH: 8.3
ammonia: undetectable
nitrIte: undetectable
nitrAte: practically undectable


I know that sounds funny but it's the truth.

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

Temperature- 78*F-82*F
Salinity- 34-36ppm
SG- 1.023ish (higher for reef)
pH- 8.2-8.3
Alkalinity- 6-11dKH
Ammonia- zero
NitrIte- zero
NitrAte- >20mg/L
Phosphate- >0.05mg/L
Calcium- 375-475mg/L
Magnesium- 1800
Dissolved Oxygen- 6.90mg/L

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

So I am realizing that I have to start manipulating my levels and monitoring them more closely. Below I've listed all the parameters and "ideal" ranges. As you can see my pH is low, my calcium is high.

pH: 7.8.........................(8.2-8.3)
NH3/NH4+: 0.00 ppm..............(0 ppm)
Nitrite: 0 ppm..................(0 ppm)
Nitrate: 15 ppm.................(<20 ppm)
Ca2+: 540 ppm...................(375-475 ppm)
KH: 150 ppm = 8.4 dKH...........(6-11dKH)
SG: 1.023.......................(1.023ish)
Salinity: 31%...................(34-36ppm)
Temp: 73 F......................(78*F-82*F)
Phosphate: ?....................(>0.05mg/L)
Magnesium: ?....................(1800)
Dissolved Oxygen: ?.............(6.90mg/L)

I have been reading articles all weekend about the chemistry involved in marine aquariums. I found a great set of articles on the SeaChem]http://www.seachem.com/support/Articles.html[/link] website. I found particular interest in the article by Dr. Leo G. Morin, PhD, entitled [link=Marine Water pH Control (PDF file). It discusses the basic theory behind pH but then it delved into an area that I was not particularly aware of, the affects of substrate on pH. I had always been advised that Crushed Coral is the best substrate to use because it will buffer the pH. However, this article suggests otherwise. The article suggests that although the substrate does have an affect on the buffering capacity, it is only temporary. Within a certain period (usually a month or longer) the buffering capacity begins to decrease and the pH begins to drop. This is exactly what I think happened with my tank, thus the deaths resulted.

So my questions are these: Are pH and Alkalinity directly resulted with one another? When Alkalinity is raised, pH will raise? Additionally, is calcium inversely proportional to alkalinity? Therefore, if I raise my pH, by increasing my alkalinity, would my calcium decrease?

Thanks everyone! I am just trying to get a handle on this situation


-Josh

Your using oceanic salt aren't you? I keep getting told it's not the best to use unless you want to adjust it because it gives a low ph and high calcium level. Maybe it might be worth trying a different saltmix if you don't need the high calcium levels and can get a different salt. I know here the stores only sell instant ocean and reef crystals. I'd like to try tropic marin or seachem's salt but it's just not possible to locate them here.

Substrates are not of great importance in buffering ph because they will run out of buffer and more importantly they won't break down until your ph is far too low. It's better to rely on a good saltmix or saltwater specific ph buffer. I didn't even have a substrate that buffered the water until I finished my aquafuge a few weeks ago. I just grabbed a cheap 5lb bag of argonite to dump in there.

Other than ph your chemistry isnt that far out. i dont think it cause the tank to crash and kill that quick but it does depend on each individual fish

I now realize that Oceanic isn't the best. Unfortunately I just bought a container of it so I would like to use it. Does anyone have any information on the questions below?

Are pH and Alkalinity directly resulted with one another? When Alkalinity is raised, pH will raise? Additionally, is calcium inversely proportional to alkalinity? Therefore, if I raise my pH, by increasing my alkalinity, would my calcium decrease?

-Josh

Are pH and Alkalinity directly resulted with one another? When Alkalinity is raised, pH will raise? Additionally, is calcium inversely proportional to alkalinity? Therefore, if I raise my pH, by increasing my alkalinity, would my calcium decrease

PH and Alk are not necessarily tied into each other.

Calcium and alkalinity however are! The key is to get calcium and alk balanced. If you try to raise calcium and you get it too high, alkalinity will drop.....same goes for raising alk too high/fast, calcium will drop. IMO, you dont want to increase your alkalinity...where it is at is not that far off. If you want to increase it, do it slowly and a little at a time.

As for you raising your ph...the easiest way to do that is to increase O2 content in the water. There are a couple of ways to do this, and the easiest is to open a window in the house and get CO2 out of the house. Winter time especially some people have a problem with their PH dropping because of the CO2 that is in the house from cooking, furnace, etc. You can also increase your surface aggitation, which will off-gas CO2 from your water, increasing O2 content, which will increase PH.

Another way is by using buffers, but go slow with it. You dont want to increase your PH too fast!