Newbie with low PH

[hackneyfl]

Hi,

I am a newbie and need a little guidance.
Little about the tank ...

Coralife Biocube 29
Started up in October with live sand and nutri seawater
I have modified removing the bioballs and adding an inTank media rack running: run floss on top, Purigen middle and Chemipure Elite on the botttom.
I have added the the Hydor Koralia Nano Aquarium Circulation Pump 425.

I added clean up crew in November: 2 Peppermint shrimp, 1 sallie lightfoot crab and 10 snails and 5 hermit crabs, the peppermint shrimp and sallie have done well but have lost all snails and 3 of the hermit crabs.

Current fish: 2 Black Ice Clowns, Yellow Goby, watchman goby, purple firefish, dwarf angel and a cardinal fish.

I do weekly 5 gallon water changes with nutri seawater and every other day floss change.

I feed 2x a day (frozen mysis shrimp in morning and then a few flakes of spirulina algae in the evenings.

All levels have been good (well except the one time the ammonia spiked a little and that was purely my fault for over feeding - the gobies were giving me that cute face and I just kept feeding them - lesson learned - don't fall for the cute face)

The reason for the post ... my PH seems to run low 7.8 to 8.0!

What am I doing wrong?!!?!!

Thank You!

View attachment 339299

 

[thegrun]

Nothing! A pH reading in that range is completely acceptable. How are you testing for pH? If you want to raise the pH you may need to open up some windows on occasion to get rid of some of the carbon dioxide that may be building up in your house, but really I don't see your pH as a problem.

 

[hackneyfl]

Thanks for replying! I will open my house up tomorrow.

I am using API for testing.
Should I be using another brand?

 

[Martini5788]

I use API for a lot of stuff, but other brands are definitely more reliable. I agree with opening down doors and windows. Should help with ph. You will have trouble with your stocking level though. You are way overstocked, just FYI. Flame angel should be rehomed.

 

[hackneyfl]

Thanks for the response I will look for a more reliable testing kit.

Yes, the dwarf angel needs to be rehomed. The local pet store told me it was ok since a dwarf but since I have now been going to a 'real' marine store I have since learned differently (another newbie mistake). Just have to find someone to take. Thank you!

 

[thegrun]

An electrical probe is by far the best testing method for pH, but either Salifert or Red Sea Pro should give you a more accurate reading. Ph is something that most of us do not bother to worry about much, alkalinity is much more important to a marine aquarium. If your pH was to fall into the 7.6 range (testing with a more reliable methodology) I would have concerns, but at 7.8 it is fine.

 

[hackneyfl]

An electrical probe is by far the best testing method for pH, but either Salifert or Red Sea Pro should give you a more accurate reading. Ph is something that most of us do not bother to worry about much, alkalinity is much more important to a marine aquarium. If your pH was to fall into the 7.6 range (testing with a more reliable methodology) I would have concerns, but at 7.8 it is fine.

I have been looking into the electronic probe for PH (I currently have the Pinpoint pH Monitor in my cart at Doctor Fosters) but was unsure of the Calibration Solutions I needed. I have attached an image of what I have in my cart, is this what I need?

Also, do you have a recommendation on an alkalinity test kit?

Thanks for all the help and patience.

 

[hackneyfl]

I have also ordered the Milwaukee Instruments Seawater Digital Refractometer and am waiting on that to come in the mail.

 

[homer1475]

You should have a go through the nano section. There is currently 3 of us that are very active there and all have biocubes. We all have well documented build threads. Might give you some ideas on what to do and where to go with the biocube.

IMO your PH is fine. PH is something most reefers never even check. If your alkalinity is in line, your PH will be fine also. If my apex didn't have a PH probe, I wouldn't have any idea what my PH is.

 

[hackneyfl]

You should have a go through the nano section. There is currently 3 of us that are very active there and all have biocubes. We all have well documented build threads. Might give you some ideas on what to do and where to go with the biocube.

IMO your PH is fine. PH is something most reefers never even check. If your alkalinity is in line, your PH will be fine also. If my apex didn't have a PH probe, I wouldn't have any idea what my PH is.

Thank you, will definitely find my over there as soon as I find it (am new to forums too - I know ... shameful!!!)

Thank you!!!

 

[homer1475]

The nano forum is in the "Special Interest Groups" section. If your on the web, just go back to the main page of the forums and scroll down. If your on a mobile with an app, just look for the "special interest groups" section.