pH During Nitrogen Cycle

[Fishish53]

Hi all,
this is my first time cycling a saltwater tank and I am wondering whether or not I should worry about pH being too low while the tank is just cycling? I just tested and it is 7.4.
For other reference, my salinity is 1.022 and my ammonia is at 1 ppm after adding a dead shrimp yesterday (also have 30 lbs live rock and 32 lb live sand, but wasn't getting an ammonia spike at all before).

Thanks for any help.

 

[mmittlesteadt]

Try getting your salinity up to 1.025 and don't worry about the pH for now. Decomposing food and the ammonia will make the water more acidic (so it will low your pH) temporarily.

Wait until your cycle is over and check your salinity and Alkalinity then. If your Alk is fine and the cycle is over, chances are your pH will be higher. Generally pH isn't that big a deal in SW.

 

[gone fishin]

No need to sweat the pH during a cycle. Many things are going on during it. Generally pH is not a driving factor in saltwater tanks.