7.8 pH - is this ok for a reef?

Hi Everyone,

I am measuring my tanks pH at 7.8 - is this acceptable for a reef tank?

 

from what I understand pH fluctuates through out the day. 7.8 is perfectly normal during your lights out part of the cycle, and if you test it right before your lights go out you will see that it is higher- usually around 8.2 or so

 

Interesting - for sure I can check tonight.

Can anyone explain why this is the case?

 

Here's two articles I found that helped me understand it better...

Chemistry And The Aquarium: Solutions To pH Problems — Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog
Reef Aquarium Water Parameters by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

 

The more stable your PH the better. The more the fluctuation the more stressed your corals can be and less growth will occur. Especially in SPS corals that will grow their bicarbonate skeletons faster in higher PH conditions such as 8.3-8.5. Soft corals generally do better a bit lower than that. PH is a relatively complex subject. As long as you stay consistent, same as most things in this hobby, you are good to go.

 

Absolutely, in our city water both the KH and GH is low. When I had African Cichlids a while back I needed to supplement the water with baking soda which worked well for years.

I assumed with large amounts of live rock / argonite gravel and instant ocean that my salt water tank might have a higher PH than my fresh water upstairs lol.

I must have a lot of organic waste in my tank bringing it down.

 

I will check on the calcium levels tonight which might off-set the low pH issue I am experiencing.