PH Problem

[jc85]

Need advice on how to get my PH back to the acceptable lvl (8.0 -8.3).

My tank is in the 4 week of cycling. Just did some water change (~5%) on last Sat. Tested the parameter today and my PH dropped to only 7 from 8.0 on Sunday. Is it common to experience PH drop after the tank is cycled. Sunday I still have 0.3mg/l of NO2.

Today's Tank parameter;

PH: 7

NH4: 0

N02: 0

NO3: 12.5

Salinity: 1.021

Temp: 29

Please advise.

[jc85]

Forget to mention.

Using Ehiem 2026 cannister, weipro 2013, tank 48" x 17" x 15" (water lvl height).

[Achilles Tang]

Common. Dieoffs contribute acid into the water, lowering PH.

Get a PH buffer to bring up your PH levels slowly.

Dosing kalkwasser also helps to bring up PH levels.

[jc85]

Thanks AT.

Will get the Salifert KH and pH buffer soon.

[seamonkee]

I read somewhere that using baking soda (the type used for cooking) helps... this is what I did for my tank to raise pH....

Is it so, AT?

[jazzben81]

it helps maintain pH

[dradttg]

Thanks AT.

Will get the Salifert KH and pH buffer soon.

I would suggest getting the liquid type.

The powder type is too troublesome. Sometime, the powder does not dissolve completely.

[FuEl]

I would suggest something different. Check your test kit. Use it to check the pH of newly mixed saltwater..if it is still ph 7...you can throw it away and buy a Salifert.

[jc85]

I'm sure its not the test kit problem. Had been testing the tank with this kit for a couple of times and only yesterday it recorded a value of 7.

Will try it tonite on my tap water and see how.

[Achilles Tang]

I would suggest getting the liquid type.

The powder type is too troublesome. Sometime, the powder does not dissolve completely.

Powder form is more worth it than liquid form.