PH issues

[agruetz]

I have been trying to raise my PH slightly. it is not way out of whack but it is on the low side. I have added an air stone, and verified the calibration on my ph probe it is good. Parameters are

alk: 11.9 dKH
Mg: 1400 - 1440ppm
Ca: 430 - 465ppm
Phosphates: .08ppm
Nitrates: 1.5ppm
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Sg: 1.026
PH: 7.95 (Day) 7.85 (Night) only around a .10 swing these are the avg's

History located at: http://www.aquaticlog.com/showcase/dashboard?aquariumId=333

Any advice welcome. Thanks.

 

[jimmyj7090]

Sounds like you most likely have elevated Co2 in the room. Try opening the windows and see if the PH rises.

If elevated Co2 is the issue some people vent in fresh air to feed their skimmers, or the next step is to look into building a Co2 scrubber.

FWIW your PH is still in a safe range even though it is a little low.

 

[agruetz]

Yea I know it is safe. Thus not taking any drastic measures =). Can low mg cause this as well. I just tested my tank (for this week) and the mag was low 1290ish. Something sucked up some major mg from the 4th to today.

 

[HighlandReefer]

Lower mag like yours will not effect pH.

A lot of people try chasing pH and some end up causing more problems than if they let it alone. As long as your tank occupants are doing fine, I wouldn't worry about it.

This article explains why you have low pH problems, which is most likely high CO2 levels in your home. The easiest way to cure it is to quit breathing.

Low pH: Causes and Cures
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.htm

 

[agruetz]

I will read this over I am leaning towards the low O2 and opening a window. Definitely not going to mess with the miracle raise the ph stuff. Everything else is pretty spot on.

 

[disc1]

I will read this over I am leaning towards the low O2 and opening a window. Definitely not going to mess with the miracle raise the ph stuff. Everything else is pretty spot on.

Not low O2. High CO2. Oxygen has no effect on pH. CO2 does.

 

[tmz]

I personally like it a bit higher but won't play with buffers to get it there. The alk shift from buffers can be stessful to corals ,ime. Ph above 7.8 and below 8.4 doesn't seem to create any problems. Diy CO2 scrubbers give me a bump in ph of about 0.15 to the 8.10 /8.35 daily swing. I also use limewater for alkalinity and calcium supplementation. Dosing vodka and vinegar which drops ph some is offset by these 2 methods.

 

[agruetz]

Not low O2. High CO2. Oxygen has no effect on pH. CO2 does.

Yea type-o blasted iPad.