PH keeps dropping

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

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  1. JetEngineMech

    JetEngineMech Feather Duster

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    ^ Thanks.

    Anyway, when I went to bed last night/this morning about 8 hours ago, the Tang was doing fine along with everybody else that was left.
    However, this morning the Tang was back on its side completely dead and now my clown is doing the fast-breathing on the bottom. Sure enough the ph dropped out AGAIN and the alk was high. I added a good dose of buff and brought it into the safe range, but still high. I also added some ph 8.2 to try to bring it back up. I found a Seachem kit I had stashed and will get a better read on the alk shortly. BTW, the serpent star has completely separated and is DOA as well.
     
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  3. Bogie

    Bogie Snowflake Eel

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    JetEngineMech,
    What is the pH and Alk of the water you are supplying your tank with after you mix in your salt?
    You should test that supply water, and if the parameters are ok, do another 10-20% water change asap.
    Good Luck.
     
  4. Tangster

    Tangster 3reef Sponsor

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    First off did you pull the tops off yet ? Don't stress tangs will lay flat to sleep and they will fade to white the clown breathing heavily is not always a bad sign. Did you remove the tops ? and again if you are testing first thing in the morning with a liquid test for ph it will always be low mine would drop to 7.9 or even to 7.7 if it where not for the fuge , As for the range of ALk you are using its not near to the high end . For a reef at 3.6 in about the minimum level . Buddy you have to relax ph should be tested at just before lights go off hat is the only way to get a 1/2 way idea.

    But again ph means nothing much in and of its self . If you have the DKH or Alk at proper levels then the ph will be fine . CO'2 build at night and that will lower the ph. you can test at just before lights go off and get a good say 8.2 and then in the morn it will be 7.9 unless you use a refugium as i do to maintain ph by offsetting the CO2 at night with 02 from the plants via their photosyntheses all night long

    And you have to know the Calcium and magnesium levels to maintain alk as it should be or you will get a yo yoing going on as the ca and Carb are oppositely charged Ions and you have to have proper Mag levels to keep them stable
     
  5. JetEngineMech

    JetEngineMech Feather Duster

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    This last time I bought pre-mixed box water. The tops are not completely off but I have the lids open. I'm nervous about completely removing them because the lighting brackets aren't that stable. I can't check the levels before lights out because I work from 3pm to midnight. I thought my other kit had tests for ca and mag but it was phospates and iodine so I'll have to get those. The tang is being scavenged by the cleanup crew so I don't expect it to be back. I just opened up as much of the top as I can.
     
  6. adam

    adam Montipora Digitata

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    PH Lowering

    I have a 46 gallon and do weekly water changes 10% with Tropic Marin Pro Reef(1/4 teaspoon Seachem 8.3 buffer added to make up water also) and I started dosing 1/4 teaspoon kalk to 1/4 gallon Ro water morning and night for the top off water to the main tank. My ph is still 7.8 in morning and goes to about 8-8.1 after 10 hours of lighting. This does keep the calcium high around 420 - 440 and Alk around 10. I use liquid API. Not the most accurate but good enough and easy compared to some other brands. 7.8 in the morning would not kill anything but much lower than that and yes you can kill stuff. My tank is in my dining room with 2 adults and 2 kids so lots of CO2. This is the main reason for the low ph at night. I am going to get the Kent Aqua dose to drip at night even though it is ugly to look at. This should also help your problem without having to buy a refugium and do the lighting at the oppositie schedule of you tank lights. Julian Sprung told me to do the kalk morning and night. ALso nitrates have to be kept under 10 or you will have problems! For a 55 gallon you should have about 75 LBS or Live Rock for proper filtration. Your other filtration is not necessary(only to add some chemical filtration maybe now and then). Also I will recommend the Aqua C Remora. I think it does a great job! If your skimmer is skimming enough then just leave it alone. Any questions email me at [email protected].
     
  7. adam

    adam Montipora Digitata

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    PH Lower

    You should also get the Tang out if he is not eaten up within a day or you will have higher nitrates. Anything dead should be taken out ASAP
    Adam
     
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  9. lunatik_69

    lunatik_69 Giant Squid

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    Have you tested your Mag, Cal and Alk levels yet? Luna
     
  10. JetEngineMech

    JetEngineMech Feather Duster

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    Alk keeps going high despite the addition of buff. I haven't received the other tests yet.
     
  11. JetEngineMech

    JetEngineMech Feather Duster

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    I doon't have my water tested yet but from reading some of the other posts I wonder if my cal/mag levels are too high if I've been doing weekly water changes AND adding the marine trace each week. Since I need to go to HD anyway, I'll pick up some of that eggcrate for the top of the tank. I think I'd like to get a sump/refugium setup as well, I just don't know where I would put it...
     
  12. R34dawn

    R34dawn Ocellaris Clown

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    I do believe water changes be your best choice till you find what is causing this problem!