FishProfiles.com Message Forums

I'm currently setting up a 29 gallon reef. I used oceanic salt. I have a cpr bak pak skimmer, a whisper 40 filter and a maxijet 600 powerhead to move around the water. My substrate is 30 lbs of aragonite sand over 10 lbs of crushed coral. My s.g. is 1.023 or 1.026 depending on which hydrometer I use (I have one of those plastic jobbies and a glass bulb type). Here's the weird thing. On the first day, I added the substrate and saltwater, and I was just running the maxijet powerhead, and my pH was 8.2. Perfect. The next night, after hooking up the skimmer and filter for a few hours, my pH had dropped to 7.8. I use a hanna tester and back checked with strips. What would cause the drop? More water movement and aeration should raise the pH if anything. Yesterday, I added 20 lbs of live rock, pH is still 7.75-7.8. Should I be concerned? OH, I used distilled water for set-up.

Mine did the same thing when I was setting it up. I wouldn't worry about it too much. My rebounded quickly

-Josh

Tanks will give false PH readings while going threw a cycle. Give it some time and check again after the cycle is complete.

Dan


Dan

Like the others said, pH can go a little crazy during cycling. It took awhile for me to get mine to balance out. I drip kalkwasser and/or add calcium/alkalinity supplements to help keep it stable now. Invest in a pinpoint pH monitor, it's 30984230984293 times easier than testing. My only regret is waiting so long to get mine. Now I can watch my pH all the time. For example, my photoperiod started approximately 7 minutes ago, and at the moment my pH is 8.14. See how easy that was?

That's another thing. Your pH will vary from day to night. When the lights are off, photosynthetic organisms will shut down. And due to respiration, the pH will drop. You will get a different reading at different times of day, as well as during different seasons. The AC and heat play a role in the way your pH turns out as well. As does your tap water.

So, as we can see, a lot of things affect pH. Whenever you're having pH issues, you should check your alkalinity as well.

Side note, I've had a lot of friends have problems with Oceanic salt. I'd switch to Tropic Marin if you can. More trace elements and less algae blooms IMO.

And, err, not to pick at something different, but aren't you not supposed to use distilled water in fish tanks? Nate? Dan? Anyone?


EDIT:

Forgot to mention that even though marine pH is desirable from 8-8.3, I dont think it's worth freaking out about until it gets maybe below 7.65ish. Most animals can tolerate a lower pH, as long as it's a gradual change and not a shock. That goes the same with buffering it up too. Gradual changes are better. The best water parameters are stable ones.

Last edited by Ferretfish at 24-Jan-2006 11:13

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

Distiled water is a good idea, RO/DI is best. Don't laugh, but I use well water that has gone threw several filters. The big thing about tap water is all the chems. that are added. These can be removed by letting the water sit for 24 hours, as well as activated carbon filters, the kind used with ice makers.

Dan


Dan

thanks for all the help guys. I really appreciate it.

Anytime. That's what we're hear for.

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

be careful about some bottled is stored in copper holding tanks. Ander copper is leathel to inverts so be careful.

>>>----> <----<<<

pnh