Should I "fix" my PH or leave it alone?

[oakengineer]

My 65 gallon fish with critters tank has been hovering right at 7.8 since I set it up 3 months ago. Should I try to fix the PH or just leave it alone and see if it raises later on? If so, what should I add?

Here are the other parameters:
Ammonia: 0
Nitrites: 0
Nitrates: 0
Calcium: 300
Kh: 179
Temp: 78

 

[Mhay]

That is where mine was when I first started. I did add something to help raise the pH and it did but it just dropped back down. Now with my tank getting older it is getting to a more "Acceptable" level. Opening up the window next to the tank and letting fresh air in helps drastically as well.

 

[gone fishin]

I would not dose any thing specifically such as a pH buffer. It will rise and the go back down. Ultimately chasing your tail. Do you have any SPS corals in your tank?

I assume your kh is 1.79 meq/L not 179. I would try to get it up to about 3.2 meq/L and get your calcium up to around 430ppm. All over time of course. You really need to know what your magnesium is before doing any increases. how you raise it is up to you there are several ways to do it. Kalkwasser in your top off, 2 part dosing schedule are a couple of the more common ways

A 7.8 pH is not bad. You would more than likely get better answers in the chemistry forum. There are some serious chemistry heavyweights in that forum.

 

[disc1]

I assume your kh is 1.79 meq/L not 179.

Or it could be 179ppm which would make it 10dKH or 3.6meq/L.

This is why units are important. A number without units is meaningless.

 

[gone fishin]

So true David.

 

[oakengineer]

Or it could be 179ppm which would make it 10dKH or 3.6meq/L.

This is why units are important. A number without units is meaningless.

Yep ppm. I forgot the units.

To answer a question, I have no coral right now. Looking to get into that soon.

 

[gbru316]

A little more oxygen should raise it up, but many people have success at 7.8.

 

[disc1]

A little more oxygen should raise it up, but many people have success at 7.8.

Wrong... Oxygen has absolutely no effect on pH whatsoever.

A little fresh air may help to get the CO2 level down. CO2 is what drives pH. CO2 gets elevated in our homes and tends to push pH down a little. But oxygen plays no role at all.

 

[gbru316]

A little fresh air may help to get the CO2 level down.

That was implied...

 

[Sk8r]

Do not chase PH, as a rule: set your alkalinity at 8.3 and hold it there.

 

[Mr tap water]

Personally I believe that a PH of 7.8 is fine .and no need to worry about it .also if your system is (Fish only )there is no need to worry about your levels of KH. Cal. Mag (providing you're doing regular water changes )your Salt mix
Should be sufficient enough to maintain a healthy Life stock of fish.

 

[disc1]

That was implied...

Except that it is a totally incorrect implication. People seem to think that CO2 levels and oxygen levels are inversely proportional and nothing could be further from the truth. While the CO2 levels in your home may change by 200 or even 300 percent, the oxygen level stays right the same all the time.

Adding oxygen would not decrease CO2 levels. In reality, adding oxygen would probably increase respiration rates and increase the CO2 level.

 

[gbru316]

Ok, I should have said fresh air instead of oxygen. Background isn't in chemistry or biology. To the layman, oxygen and fresh air are often synonymous even if technically incorrect.

 

[disc1]

Ok, I should have said fresh air instead of oxygen. Background isn't in chemistry or biology. To the layman, oxygen and fresh air are often synonymous even if technically incorrect.

And my comment was just to clear that up so it doesn't confuse anyone. Because the two are definitely not synonymous.