Help with water parameters

[loweryster]

Sg 1.021
Ca 350
KH 11
Mg 900

Everything is low except for KH. One of my biggest problems is pH swing, last night my pH dropped to 7.71. My light are on now, pH is at 7.78. I expect the pH will get to 8.0 to 8.03 by the end of the day. I have a small tank about 45g total with sump. I use TLF C-Balance 15ml each per day. To get Sg up I’ve been trying to top off with salt water, will this help. Yesterday I did a 5 gallon water change as I starting doing that once a week. I use Red sea Pro salt. What am I doing wrong? What do I need to do? Thanks for your help.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I'd raise the sg to match the ocean, at about 1.0264. That will also boost calcium and magnesium. Once you do that, remeasure them and see where you are. The calcium will be fine but the magnesium may still be a bit low.

I'd try doing the aeration tests in this article to diagnose the pH problems:


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


Limewater or more aeration may be your best best for raising pH.

[loweryster]

Thanks Randy. Do I keep topping off with salt water to raise Sg?

So do I need to invest in a kalk stirrer to get my pH up.

I will try the aeration test.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Yes, topping off with salt water is a perfect way to raise it.

I'd do the aeration test before worrying about options. :)

[loweryster]

Thanks, will do

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

:thumbsup:

Just pop back with the results and we'll discuss options. :)

[loweryster]

I got the results

Outside:
starting 7.98 after 1 hour 8.39

Inside:
starting 8.13 after 1 hour 8.13

No change inside, but look at outside

The pH in the tank is about 8.15 right now

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I'm not sure why the second one started higher (later in the day?), but it does appear the you are being limited by high CO2 in your home air. If you opened windows more, you'd likely find the pH to rise as the CO2 levels in the air drop. Many folks find that a good option if they live in a suitable climate.

If you cannot do that, using limewater somehow is a good option.

[loweryster]

yes it was 1 hour later (only have one pump). I live in south Miami, so opening a window is not an option. So should I get a kalk stirrer and plumb it into a ATO?

[Billybeau1]

You might first see if you can run a line from outside to your skimmer. Some people have had great results from this in your area.

The idea is, pumping in fresher air from outside contains less CO2 which will raise your pH. :)

If this is not practical in your situation, them limewater may be your only choice.

One other thing some have had results from is lighting your sump or fuge on a reverse light cycle. This keeps photosysntesis going and helps keep pH up.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You cannot open the window why? Crime? if that's it, then you might be able to bring in fresh air in a way that isn't a concern.