PH keeps dropping

Discussion in 'Water Chemistry' started by JetEngineMech, Jul 10, 2008.

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  1. reefnut1

    reefnut1 Spaghetti Worm

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    How is your alk level it effects PH sometimes very quickly. Make sure you test PH at about the same time when you compare readings. It will vary between morning afternoon and night.
     
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  3. JetEngineMech

    JetEngineMech Feather Duster

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    I'm still waiting on a more accurate tester...I also lost my clown last night. I've done a water change since and the remaining critters seem livelier. I also bought some egg-crate and am installing it now.
     
  4. R34dawn

    R34dawn Ocellaris Clown

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    I had a clown that since I bought it, breathing heavily, never would eat either and I've kept him like that for 16 days, till I switch stands and I do believe that did it. is your live rock been in the tank since you cycle? how much coralline is in the rocks it self? and in the rest of the aquarium.
    you filter, the lifeguard what model is it? and what kind of media are you using?
     
    Last edited: Jul 12, 2008
  5. JetEngineMech

    JetEngineMech Feather Duster

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    Sorry for the delay, I finall got some tests done:
    Calcium: 420
    Magnesium: 1300
    KH/Alk: >16.0 dKH / >5.71 meq/L
    pH: 8.0
    NO2: 0.1
    Temp: 88.8F

    The Lifeguard is the filter system with a mechanical and chemical filter using carbon. The liverock has been in for at least 6 months.

    BTW, this is after a water change and not adding any Marine Trace supplement since.
     
    Last edited: Jul 19, 2008
  6. ShrimpSkin

    ShrimpSkin Bristle Worm

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    Is that temp correct? 88 is way to hot!!
     
  7. eggerstout

    eggerstout Skunk Shrimp

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    I hope thats a typo too
     
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  9. JetEngineMech

    JetEngineMech Feather Duster

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    No it isn't, it's never that hot but we're in a heat wave. I've got a fan on it now to bring it down.
     
  10. Big B

    Big B Plankton

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    Sounds to me like your best bet would be to stop dosing everything. You should not need to dose and buffer Ca, Alk or Mg on a FOWLR. I would not even bother testing for them. Do a 15 to 20 gallon water change, wait a few days and do another 20 gallon water change. If you are consistent with water changes after that, you should not need to dose anything. Keep the top open. Run a pump or maxijet to get some surface agitation. An airstone would help as well. If you could pump fresh outside air thru the airstone, it would be best. You need to get the temp down under at least 82 degrees. Closer to 78 would be better. Running a fan across the top will help. Otherwise run the air conditioning or get a chiller.

    JMHO.
     
  11. JetEngineMech

    JetEngineMech Feather Duster

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    Yep, I've stopped dosing until I see an need to do so. I ran a fan all night without any help. It turns out my heater wasn't shutting off. :angry: So I took it out, did my water change, and the temp is coming down. Looks like I need a new heater... Is it OK for the Alk to be that high or will that come down with water changes?
     
  12. lunatik_69

    lunatik_69 Giant Squid

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    WC will lower the alk, but at a min rate. If this is a FOWLR tank, I agree with Big B. If I were you, I would do the WC every week WITHOUT adding ANYTHING and test the ph. I assuming that your ph tester is NOT expired. Luna