Coral chips

[Cruzer]

Hi All

This is my 1st try in marine fish and currently in the 2nd week of tank cycling.

Found out that the PH is always rather low - bet 7.4-7.8 despite my attempts to use the

Seachem buffer to beef up the PH.

Doesn't seem to work.Could it be due to the coral chips that i use as i understood from FW

, the chips are used to maintain FW PH at neutral level 7.

Tank details

Currently i am running on th IQ5 with 1 pack ($1.50 per pack) of coral chips as part of the bedding.

Pls advice....

[Guest]

did you check the KH of your water ? The KH is with directly connection to your PH as well, as long as the PH does not fall too low it should be ok.

[Cruzer]

Hi, noted and thanks for the advice. Will check on the KH when i got hold of the tester.

Anyway like to find out, what is the level which would be considered as too low?

Is 7.4-7.7 ok?

Thanks.

[Rxcp14]

Hi, noted and thanks for the advice. Will check on the KH when i got hold of the tester.

Anyway like to find out, what is the level which would be considered as too low?

Is 7.4-7.7 ok?

Thanks.

Hmmm usually its btwn 8.0-8.4 with 8.2-8.3 optimum for most livestocks... Slowly increase ur chips if not enough... Btw ur using the reef buffer from seachem right? I understand that there's a liquid reef carbonate from seachem also... Can try alternatives like reef salts/ dose element nutrients like calcium, magnesium, etc...

[Cruzer]

Hi all , made a check on the KH with the tester from API and the readings are at 12dkh/214ppm.

Is it ok?

Rest of the readings

Ammonia = 0

Nitrite = 0

NItrate = 0

PH = 7.4-7.7

[Rxcp14]

Hi all , made a check on the KH with the tester from API and the readings are at 12dkh/214ppm.

Is it ok?

Rest of the readings

Ammonia = 0

Nitrite = 0

NItrate = 0

PH = 7.4-7.7

Ur ph is on the low side....

[Cruzer]

Yes the PH is indeed rather low, tried using Seachem marine buffer ( liquid form ) to push it up

but doesn't seems to be helping.....

[Rxcp14]

Yes the PH is indeed rather low, tried using Seachem marine buffer ( liquid form ) to push it up

but doesn't seems to be helping.....

Are u using RO/Di water? Substrate? Type of salt? Tried the powdered buffer from seachem? What are u using to test ur ph? Just a few questions to get additional info for us to help...

[Cruzer]

Hi i am using distilled water for top up and tap water with seachem prime (anti chlorine) for

water change.

Not sure which grade the beach sand is but should be quite ordinary as it is not expensive.

Have not tried on the powdered buffer yet but might give it a try.

using tetra PH test kit.