pH question

[jeffmr4]

I've recently set up a 10 gallon reef tank using imagitarium water and ro water from a local grocery store for top off. I tested the pH this morning and it read 7.8. Later in the day, I added an 1/8th of a teaspoon of seachem's marine buffer and re-tested with a reading of 8.0. I added another 1/8th of a teaspoon which caused my anemone to shrivel up some (I think its opening up now) and tested with a reading of 8.0. I decided to leave it for now. When I did the initial tests my alkalinity measured about 14 and calcium was 440.

 

Any suggestions? Is it ok to add buffer to my ro water before using it as top-off? How will adding it affect alkalinity? Thanks.

[gus6464]

Stop buffering. It does nothing. Also alk of 14 is sky high.

[jeffmr4]

I'm not sure if the test was accurate. It is a little old api test kit. I know it is supposed to be between 8 and 12. Do you suggest anything for the ph or alkalinity? Also, before using the tank I cleaned the glass with vinegar. I didn't use very much. Just a spot on a washcloth a couple of times. Would this be the reason the ph is low? Thanks.

[Jcon_343]

7.8ph isn't that bad, its about keeping it consistent . My tank has ran at 7.8 - 7.9 for the last 5 years will no ill effects

[gus6464]

Buffers are useless because after 24 hours the ph will go back to what it was before you added the buffer. Low ph is combated by either increasing oxygen or lowering co2. If you run a skimmer you can put a co2 scrubber on the air intake and that will help. Sometimes something as simple as opening a window helps as well.

[jeffmr4]

To jcon, that's kind of what I've read. I only have two choices for ro water so I'm going to get a tds meter and test them. I think neither of them might be the best.

 

gus, Unfortunately, some of those things won't work for me. I can't open the window because the air conditioning unit freezes. Also it is too hot out. I don't have any room for a skimmer. I thought about adding some chaeto to the main tank but I've heard that sometimes that can take oxygen out of the water too. Kalk is not an option I think because it would raise alkalinity levels which are already high. Also, I don't have a way of making an adequate top off unit.

[CronicReefer]

To jcon, that's kind of what I've read. I only have two choices for ro water so I'm going to get a tds meter and test them. I think neither of them might be the best.

 

gus, Unfortunately, some of those things won't work for me. I can't open the window because the air conditioning unit freezes. Also it is too hot out. I don't have any room for a skimmer. I thought about adding some chaeto to the main tank but I've heard that sometimes that can take oxygen out of the water too. Kalk is not an option I think because it would raise alkalinity levels which are already high. Also, I don't have a way of making an adequate top off unit.

You need to bring fresh air into your house from somewhere or add an air stone that creates extremely fine bubbles and run the air intake outside. Until you decrease the CO2 in the water you will always have lower pH. Either don't worry about it or remove CO2 from your house. Adding pH buffers really just increases the alkalinity which is more harm than good.

[brandon429]

http://reef2reef.com/threads/the-premise-that-every-reactive-thing-done-in-reefing-is-from-test-misreads.253391/

[CronicReefer]

http://reef2reef.com/threads/the-premise-that-every-reactive-thing-done-in-reefing-is-from-test-misreads.253391/

I used to use a high quality pH probe accurate to 1/100th of a point. It was no more accurate than any quality resolution pH titration test so I stopped using it as calibrating and buying new probes once a year is expensive. I believe most people have inaccuracies due to colorblindness they are unaware of or the test was not performed correctly. Even API was accurate when compared to the probe.

[brandon429]

My post was aimed at Jeff tho

 

Is first post a probe reading