Low'ish Alk and pH. What should I do?

timbo227 · 01/04/2018, 03:41 PM

Inherited an established biocube 29 about 3 weeks ago. First tank ever, the learning curve is steeper than I expected so any input would be appreciated.

Alk - 8.0 dKH
pH - 7.8-8.0'ish
Nitrates/trites - undetectable
Temp - 79
Calcium - 420

Don't have tests for phosphates, iodine, magnesium, or strontium. Not sure if I need them for my tank...

I have a clean up crew, cleaner shrimp, mushroom, frogspawn, goniopora (very ****ed at me), and some duncans. Also some chaeto in the display until my refugium light arrives. Hoping to add some more LPS, Zoas, and eventually some easy SPS (replacing the stock PC lights with Steve's LED retrofit his weekend).

pH and and Alk seem a little low, how worried should I be, and what should I do about it, if anything? Any advice/input is much appreciated!

nereefpat · 01/04/2018, 03:52 PM

All parameters you listed are perfect. Don't mess with anything.

Test in a week for alk and Ca to see if you need to start dosing.

Optionman · 01/04/2018, 05:45 PM

Don’t chase numbers, chase stability. Do regular water changes and good luck.

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bertoni · 01/04/2018, 06:33 PM

I agree that those levels are fine. That pH actually is above average for a tank in a house, from what I can tell from posts here. I'd leave well enough alone, but you could consider using Kalk for calcium and alkalinity dosing, which sometimes raises pH a bit. For your tank, it's more work that it's worth for the pH effect, in my opinion.

01/04/2018, 03:41 PM	#1
timbo227 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 21	Low'ish Alk and pH. What should I do? Inherited an established biocube 29 about 3 weeks ago. First tank ever, the learning curve is steeper than I expected so any input would be appreciated. Alk - 8.0 dKH pH - 7.8-8.0'ish Nitrates/trites - undetectable Temp - 79 Calcium - 420 Don't have tests for phosphates, iodine, magnesium, or strontium. Not sure if I need them for my tank... I have a clean up crew, cleaner shrimp, mushroom, frogspawn, goniopora (very ****ed at me), and some duncans. Also some chaeto in the display until my refugium light arrives. Hoping to add some more LPS, Zoas, and eventually some easy SPS (replacing the stock PC lights with Steve's LED retrofit his weekend). pH and and Alk seem a little low, how worried should I be, and what should I do about it, if anything? Any advice/input is much appreciated!

01/04/2018, 03:52 PM	#2
nereefpat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Central Nebraska Posts: 3,190	All parameters you listed are perfect. Don't mess with anything. Test in a week for alk and Ca to see if you need to start dosing. __________________ Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers

01/04/2018, 06:33 PM	#4
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I agree that those levels are fine. That pH actually is above average for a tank in a house, from what I can tell from posts here. I'd leave well enough alone, but you could consider using Kalk for calcium and alkalinity dosing, which sometimes raises pH a bit. For your tank, it's more work that it's worth for the pH effect, in my opinion. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

01/04/2018, 05:45 PM	#3
Optionman Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: NJ Posts: 774	Don’t chase numbers, chase stability. Do regular water changes and good luck. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk