PH levels

1st29bio · 02/07/2015, 08:25 AM

So my tank is about a month old 29 gal corallife biocube. I have around 40 lbs of live rock. My Ph is 7.8. Ammonia is .25 nitrites .25 nitrates threw the roof. This I kinda expected. My question is how should I raise my ph levels. Should I try an air stone first, or just go straight to raising it using a chemical or baking soda. I'm open to any ideas.

Stackemdeep · 02/07/2015, 08:47 AM

With a new small biocube I suggest being patient with PH. Make sure you have good water movement on the top and the tank is open for gas exchange with plenty of flow in the tank. A couple of gallons water change every few days will keep your chemistry balanced. Allow the cycle to complete and eventually the ph will balance to where it wants to be. 7.8 while on the low side is not a crisis. Fresh air and a skimmer may also help. Many new reefers create a larger problem chasing ph early in this process and my suggestion would be to keep the big 3 balanced with frequent water changes first and not worry about the actual ph number. Good Luck!

downbeach · 02/07/2015, 08:48 AM

Here is a good article:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-05/rhf/index.php#3

This is one of four that I'd suggest are good articles to keep for reading, both now and in the future. You'll see reference to these when you open this one.

\Clownfish/ · 02/07/2015, 09:32 AM

I was also wondering about this when when I set my tank up on day two. My tank is still cycling but we'll see what happens when the cycle is complete.

tmz · 02/07/2015, 11:15 AM

As noted in the article 7.8 to 8.4 is acdeptable. FWIW,mine runs 8.15 to 8.35 daily swing. Over 8.4 chances are higher for unwannted abiotic preciptation of calcium carbonate . Under 7.7 live rock,coral sand and the skeletal mass orf calcifying organisms can begin to dissolve.

Raisng pH is mostly about controlling CO2 levels in the tank and the air surrounding it ; not about using alkalinity as"buffers" which often results in high alkainity and low pH despite manufacturer's claims .

disc1 · 02/07/2015, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1st29bio

So my tank is about a month old 29 gal corallife biocube. I have around 40 lbs of live rock. My Ph is 7.8. Ammonia is .25 nitrites .25 nitrates threw the roof. This I kinda expected. My question is how should I raise my ph levels. Should I try an air stone first, or just go straight to raising it using a chemical or baking soda. I'm open to any ideas.

While you're still cycling don't worry with it. The process of cycling in a tank tends to depress alkalinity and pH. Wait until you're through cycling to see where you really are before you start chasing pH around.

1st29bio · 02/07/2015, 11:56 AM

Thanks for all the info I will be patient for now. How big of water changes should I be doing.

1st29bio · 02/07/2015, 01:19 PM

I'm installing a power head today also. I do weekly 5 gal water changes RO water. Is that too much ?

tmz · 02/07/2015, 01:27 PM

17% per week water changes seems high to me. I wouldn't do any during cycling unless ammonia was very high . FWIW, on an established system I do 1% per day.

itche_scratche · 02/07/2015, 02:07 PM

Open your windows will increase your ph. Run your skimmer intake to outside also increase your ph. Co2 scrubber also increase it. I ran my skimmer intake outside. It increased about .2 ph

Stackemdeep · 02/07/2015, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1st29bio

Thanks for all the info I will be patient for now. How big of water changes should I be doing.

With 40# of live rock in a 29 tank use 20 gallons as your water column for a starting point later on when you start dosing etc. You did not mention a sand bottom? A couple of gallons is fine to begin with for wc. I help a friend with a 30g and we have found his column to be 22 gallons. Good advice listed above.

1st29bio · 02/07/2015, 03:14 PM

Yea I believe I have about 20 gal I do have about 1 1/2 to 2 in sand bottom

1st29bio · 02/07/2015, 03:17 PM

Also just add aquatop power head 264 gal/hr not the best but better than nothing.

Kalen · 02/07/2015, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stackemdeep

With 40# of live rock in a 29 tank use 20 gallons as your water column for a starting point later on when you start dosing etc. You did not mention a sand bottom? A couple of gallons is fine to begin with for wc. I help a friend with a 30g and we have found his column to be 22 gallons. Good advice listed above.

1st2bio

I have been working with stackemdeep since the beginning of the year. Stackem is full of good info. With time and patients I have learned how to keep my tank stable with doing the proper maintenance on the tank, but at the same time doing things the smart and easy way with out taking any sort cuts.

I wish you the best.
Good luck.

Sk8r · 02/07/2015, 04:43 PM

Once your tank cycles, start tracking alkalinity: this is a far more important guide to your tank's actual condition than PH.

Kalen · 02/07/2015, 05:05 PM

Your tank is still cycling for being up for a month or so.

During the cycling process I would recommend that you do small wc. 2 gallons every couple of days. Measure your salt in accordance to what your salt mix parameters recommend. During the cycle process keep an eye on your no3 and nhm3. The cycling process can take a few months or longer to fully cycle. After that process start keeping an eye on your big three. Mainly your kh. Ph is not really a concern. Over time your ph will stabilize and set itself on its own.

You'll want to start out with a good clean up crew. A few weeks later coral or a couple of fish, which ever you decide and then a couple weeks after that what ever is left coral or fish.

Remember don't rush things. Slow and steady well get you good results. However if you do lose a any live stock is not the end of the world. Don't give up hope and don't let it discourage you.

02/07/2015, 08:25 AM	#1
1st29bio Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Cincinnati ohio Posts: 87	PH levels So my tank is about a month old 29 gal corallife biocube. I have around 40 lbs of live rock. My Ph is 7.8. Ammonia is .25 nitrites .25 nitrates threw the roof. This I kinda expected. My question is how should I raise my ph levels. Should I try an air stone first, or just go straight to raising it using a chemical or baking soda. I'm open to any ideas.

02/07/2015, 08:47 AM	#2
Stackemdeep Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Carolina Beach NC Posts: 429	With a new small biocube I suggest being patient with PH. Make sure you have good water movement on the top and the tank is open for gas exchange with plenty of flow in the tank. A couple of gallons water change every few days will keep your chemistry balanced. Allow the cycle to complete and eventually the ph will balance to where it wants to be. 7.8 while on the low side is not a crisis. Fresh air and a skimmer may also help. Many new reefers create a larger problem chasing ph early in this process and my suggestion would be to keep the big 3 balanced with frequent water changes first and not worry about the actual ph number. Good Luck! __________________ Paul Current Tank Info: 120g SPS tank

02/07/2015, 09:32 AM	#4
\Clownfish/ Saltwater Beginner $\Clownfish/'s Avatar$ Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Anemone Posts: 629	I was also wondering about this when when I set my tank up on day two. My tank is still cycling but we'll see what happens when the cycle is complete. __________________ Keep your friends close, and your anemones closer.
$\Clownfish/ is offline$

02/07/2015, 11:15 AM	#5
tmz ReefKeeping Mag staff Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: West Seneca NY Posts: 27,691	As noted in the article 7.8 to 8.4 is acdeptable. FWIW,mine runs 8.15 to 8.35 daily swing. Over 8.4 chances are higher for unwannted abiotic preciptation of calcium carbonate . Under 7.7 live rock,coral sand and the skeletal mass orf calcifying organisms can begin to dissolve. Raisng pH is mostly about controlling CO2 levels in the tank and the air surrounding it ; not about using alkalinity as"buffers" which often results in high alkainity and low pH despite manufacturer's claims . __________________ Tom Current Tank Info: Tank of the Month , November 2011 : 600gal integrated system: 3 display tanks (120 g, 90g, 89g),several frag/grow out tanks, macroalgae refugia, cryptic zones. 40+ fish, seahorses, sps,lps,leathers, zoanthidae and non photosynthetic corals.

02/07/2015, 01:27 PM	#9
tmz ReefKeeping Mag staff Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: West Seneca NY Posts: 27,691	17% per week water changes seems high to me. I wouldn't do any during cycling unless ammonia was very high . FWIW, on an established system I do 1% per day. __________________ Tom Current Tank Info: Tank of the Month , November 2011 : 600gal integrated system: 3 display tanks (120 g, 90g, 89g),several frag/grow out tanks, macroalgae refugia, cryptic zones. 40+ fish, seahorses, sps,lps,leathers, zoanthidae and non photosynthetic corals.

02/07/2015, 08:48 AM	#3
downbeach Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Smyrna, Delaware Posts: 3,767	Here is a good article: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-05/rhf/index.php#3 This is one of four that I'd suggest are good articles to keep for reading, both now and in the future. You'll see reference to these when you open this one.

02/07/2015, 11:56 AM	#7
1st29bio Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Cincinnati ohio Posts: 87	Thanks for all the info I will be patient for now. How big of water changes should I be doing.

02/07/2015, 01:19 PM	#8
1st29bio Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Cincinnati ohio Posts: 87	I'm installing a power head today also. I do weekly 5 gal water changes RO water. Is that too much ?

02/07/2015, 02:07 PM	#10
itche_scratche Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 58	Open your windows will increase your ph. Run your skimmer intake to outside also increase your ph. Co2 scrubber also increase it. I ran my skimmer intake outside. It increased about .2 ph __________________ Breathe in Calm... Breathe out Smile ...

02/07/2015, 03:14 PM	#12
1st29bio Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Cincinnati ohio Posts: 87	Yea I believe I have about 20 gal I do have about 1 1/2 to 2 in sand bottom

02/07/2015, 03:17 PM	#13
1st29bio Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Cincinnati ohio Posts: 87	Also just add aquatop power head 264 gal/hr not the best but better than nothing.

02/07/2015, 04:43 PM	#15
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Once your tank cycles, start tracking alkalinity: this is a far more important guide to your tank's actual condition than PH. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

02/07/2015, 05:05 PM	#16
Kalen Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 555	Your tank is still cycling for being up for a month or so. During the cycling process I would recommend that you do small wc. 2 gallons every couple of days. Measure your salt in accordance to what your salt mix parameters recommend. During the cycle process keep an eye on your no3 and nhm3. The cycling process can take a few months or longer to fully cycle. After that process start keeping an eye on your big three. Mainly your kh. Ph is not really a concern. Over time your ph will stabilize and set itself on its own. You'll want to start out with a good clean up crew. A few weeks later coral or a couple of fish, which ever you decide and then a couple weeks after that what ever is left coral or fish. Remember don't rush things. Slow and steady well get you good results. However if you do lose a any live stock is not the end of the world. Don't give up hope and don't let it discourage you.