ph question

[coltsfan80]

any idea as to why my ph doesnt stay stable? I use ph booster to raise it to 8.4 but within a weeks time it drops to around 7.9 - 8.0

[bertoni]

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.php

That article discusses low pH problems. The pH boosters all add alkalinity, so I would suggest staying away from them. What is the alkalinity in the tank currently?

[sir_dudeguy]

do you have a glass lid or plastic one on top that doesnt allow for good ventilation (and the 2 inch gap in the back insnt considered "good")

do you have good surface agitation? you need a powerhead or something pointing at the surface.

Do you have an iside co2 problem? take a glass of tank water and put it outside w/a bubbler in it for a while...then test it to see if its higher.

also, when aer you testing? i believe it lowers at night.

[WaterKeeper]

and I wouldn't be all that concerned with a pH in that range.

[sir_dudeguy]

ya me neither. 8.0 is fine really.

[coltsfan80]

I do have a glass lid because my lights set on it..but the lights i have..i can buy legs for and use it like that..so I can remove the lid...I dont test for alk just yet...honestly i havent been able to find a test at any of my lfs....but I do have some stuff ordered through liveaquaria and an alk and calcium test kit are part of it...I also test inthe afternoons..

[sir_dudeguy]

ya try getting the glass off of there (and that will help any temp problems too probably, and the lights on glass both heats up the tank and doesnt let all the light thru

[coltsfan80]

thanks all! I plan on getting the legs this weekend, so we will see what happens there.

[coltsfan80]

I also do have 2 power heads and 1 does agitate the surface..also how would I know if i have a co2 problem?