pH plunged...help

[tanyashankles]

Hey all you, I have a question, my pH just plummeted to 7.2 and Im not sure why. My set up is 55g reef w/35g sump, RIO 8 HD, crappy protein skimmer (just bought a new one, gonna be here soon) sg 1.024 . (am I forgetting anything?) I dont know if my lights have anything to do with anything but they are 2x250 hqi Mh w/4x65w actinic pc bulbs. I used Kent Super Buffer after my findings, which I have to dose daily until the right pH is acheived, and I do 10% water changes weekly and 20% bi-weekly. Tank inhabitants do not seem stressed as of now, except for a new brain coral, (could he be the reason? got him 2 days ago...)

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Testing error. pH does not get that low otherwise, unless you massively dumped in CO2.

Stop the buffers ASAP, as it is never a good way to raise pH, and yours probably is not that low. It just ends up driving alkalinity too high.

how are you measuring pH?

[tanyashankles]

(Dont hit me) test strips...5-in-1

[tanyashankles]

But they have been reading fine until now?? I know I need a more accurate testing system, but I dont know what I need? like is there a meter or something? The liquid is such a pain! It feels like Im in a chem lab..

[tanyashankles]

LOL... I just noticed YOU are a chemist...that is too funny. Figures, a chance to look like an idiot arises, and OF COURSE, I always rise to the occasion..

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

:lol:

We won't bite. :D

And don't worry too much about that pH. :)