why does ph sometimes drop?

[saltysteven]

why does ph sometimes drop?

my ph was fine at 8.15 then it dropped to 7.95.
how long will it take to return to normal if i add ph up?

[dileggi]

When did you check the PH...am or pm? Your PH will test lower in the am than it will in the pm.

Secondly, before you put ph up in the tank, what's in the tank? I added PH up to my tank about 1 month ago and burned just about everything that was in the tank.

I would suggest just doing a water change. The salt should buffer the new water to the correct ph. If there's still a problem, I would get the Marine buffer, or marine builder. I can't remember which. I believe it's by either Seachem or Kent.

I just don't want to see you burn or kill any corals in the tank like I did. It's been a month and one day now and only my gsp is starting to show that it's coming back.

Hope it helps!

[jmait769]

Randy has a great article that explains the range for pH here: Low pH: Causes and Cures. Also Carbon Dioxide dissolved in your water effects your pH which is also addressed in the article. In my system the Ph usually lowers to 7.8 – 8.0 in the winter and returns to 8.0 – 8.3 in the summer months due the house being closed up more in the colder weather.

HTH

Jay

[an411]

jmait769 with that said do you think that having the canopy closed would lower ph as well do to lack of oxygen exchange

[jmait769]

Yes, I think so. Same as having glass tops. If the canopy is vented then that should reduce the effect. My canopy is basically wide open on top to allow evaporation and gas exchange.

Jay

[an411]

I have a cover on mine but the back it open I am not sure if that is good enough. The other thing that I am thinking but not 100% sure is when I was reading the chemical breakdown of a nitrate I see that there are 2 oxygen molecules that combine with I believe a nitrogen to form a nitrate I am wondering if not having enough oxygen leaving the tank is the cause for having nitrates present in my tank.

[jmait769]

Originally posted by an411
I see that there are 2 oxygen molecules that combine with I believe a nitrogen to form a nitrate I am wondering if not having enough oxygen leaving the tank is the cause for having nitrates present in my tank.

I may be looking at it incorrectly but I treat them as separate (gas exchange and the nitrogen cycle). I’m sure the release of gas is important in both topics but having nitrates present in the tank, and removing them, are more a function of water changes, algae use, sand beds, etc. I have read most of Randy’s articles (still have to refer to them!) and can only defer to them. These two talk about the Nitrogen cycle and have helped me along with Waterkeepers So you got a new fish tank Newbie thread.

The Complete Nitrogen Cycle

Nitrite and the Reef Aquarium

HTH

Jay

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I am wondering if not having enough oxygen leaving the tank is the cause for having nitrates present in my tank.

No, nitrate and O2 levels are unrelated.

Still, in a covered aquarium, especially without a skimmer and/or high turbulence) the O2 may be inadequate for fish and other organisms, or the CO2 levels may be excessive (leading to low pH).