PH too low?

[spjeff69]

I had my water tested at the LPS today. Everything looked good, but they said my PH was almost too low?

My PH was 7.8

Do I need to worry?

[TippyToeX]

7.8 during the day is quite low. Who knows what your nightly drop would be. I would get that corrected as soon as you can manage it,

Low pH: Causes and Cures

[spjeff69]

Hmm. I've only had the tank setup for about a month. 7.8 is in the acceptable range. I'd be more comfortable with a PH of 8.2 though.

Should I just go buy some PH up or something?

[Scuba Oz]

Need to find out why its low! What salt do you use, what is your bio-load, what is your lighting ect...

When was the water tested (was it morning noon or night water)and why did the LFS test it? Do you have a test kit or better yet a test probe?

[spjeff69]

I think we used Red Sea brand salt. We only have 10 snails and 10 hermits in it. I am using Orbit USA CF 130 Watt for my 36 Bow.

It was tested around 4pm. They test the water for free, and they are right down the street. Free is better!

[bertoni]

PH Up is a bad way to go, IMO. I think the article talks about why. Do you have an alkalinity measurement for your water?

[spjeff69]

They tested it I think, they said all my water levels were good.

[bertoni]

Well, if your alkalinity is around 3.0 meq/L, then adding pH Up or the like can cause a lot of problems. You could consider doing the CO2 test mentioned in the article.

[spjeff69]

ARe you talking about the Aeration test?

[bertoni]

Yes.

I personally would prefer to know the actual numbers from the alkalinity test before saying much more. Free is good, but it's hard to diagnose a problem without the facts.

[spjeff69]

They used the cheap strip test. I'm going to go back and ask them to use the MarineLab test kit.

[spjeff69]

I will have the Alkalinity and PH retested using the MarineLab testtube kit.

[Stevan]

Better yet...I would suggest you buy your own QUALITY basic tests. Since this hobby is already so expensive spending a bit more on the front end will actually save you money in the long run.

Trite but true.

PS-MarineLab is just OK...Not GOOD. Salifert tests are good.

[spjeff69]

Where do I get Salifert test kit? How much are they?

[xian]

I get them from Custom aquatic. Best price I've found.

They are pricey $10 - $30 depending on which kit but well worth it.

I use them for Alk, Calcium and Nitrate.

I use Aquarium Systems Fastest for Nitrite and Ammonia. This is only because I've been using them for years. Also as far as I'm concerned the only thing I need to know about nitrite and ammonia is that they arent there at all a trace is too much.

I'm using the aquariuim systems test for phosphate but I will eventually switch to Salifert

I recommend a pH meter rather than a kit. You can get one on Ebay pretty cheap.

Its important that you learn to test your own water and start watching wor warning signs before things go wrong.

Because they are not using quality equipment, I don't think your LFS is giving you an accurate idea of your water parameters.

JMO

[Stevan]

If the Search Function here was available I could find a recent msg here about a really cheap seller. I've been buying off ebay but this place was much cheaper.

Each test is priced differently. Just buy what you need to test for at this point in time like Ammonia, Nitrites, Nitrates then Calcium and Alk. Most others can wait or be avoided completely for most Reefers.

And buy an inexpensive Digital PH tester. You can get a modest one for 40 bucks or so...and get calibration fluid to adjust it occasionally.

And never add anything to your tank that you dont test for...Remember, if you don't or can't test, how do you know you really need it?

[spjeff69]

Steven, I will wait until the search function is available for you to use. If you don't mind, post the msg or PM me.

Every dollar counts!

Thanks everyone

[spjeff69]

Is this any good?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...876941402&rd=1

[xian]

THats the one I have. Its pretty accurate.

[hans1976]

Aquatictech.com has the overall best prices for Salifert. However, Customer is a RC sponsor so to me it is worth spending a few extra pennies.

Considering Salifert gices you 50-100 tests vs 20 tests using FastTest, the upfront extra cost turns out to be cheaper in the long run.

Salifert Prices

[Stevan]

Originally posted by spjeff69
Steven, I will wait until the search function is available for you to use. If you don't mind, post the msg or PM me.

Every dollar counts!

Thanks everyone

Sorry Jeff-I get locked out same as you!

FYI - I have that Hanna Meter too. It will be my back-up once I get some Calibration Fluids.


ALSO...Buy some Calibration Fluids. Hanna Fluids were tested for accuracy and PASSED ( IIRC by Randy of the Chemistry Forum). Buy them in the individual sachets (packets) so they wont go bad over time.

And get both 7.01 PH and 10.01 PH You need to use and calibrate to both to ensure accuracy.

[goochs]

I wouldn't mess with it for salt water.. get the one that is water proof!! Dropped my digital thermometer in the tank and even after clean and rinse with fresh water it was fried.. instantly!!

[Stevan]

Butterfingers...and a costly butterfingers too boot!

OK, but if you're not prone to the unintentional dropping of things into your tank that Hanna is ok. The Hanna brand seems to make adequate equiptment all around for the price so it seems.

[spjeff69]

Ok, I checked my PH with Hanna after calibration. It read 8.05

[Stevan]

That's OK you know.

Test again 1st thing in the AM and see if it lower.