PH of tap water

[pokmingsheng]

bought PH pen today...

tested on tap water and realise that my tap water gave a reading of 8.1!

how is it possible? are our tap waters on the higher side?

tested my tank water, its a reading 7.8..

i understand that 8.3 is the best..

how can i raise the PH level, and whats the lowest PH that my tank can go before its dangerous?

[teebs]

Hmmm...have not tested the ph of tap water before. For tank water, did you test it when ur lights were on? When lights on, PH increases, lights off, ph decreases. To increase ph, you can use buffer solutions e.g. seachem buffer or just dose carbonate. Try to maintain ph at ard 8.1 to 8.3 when lights are on.

Another thing to do is to check your dkh or carbonate hardness.

[pokmingsheng]

Hmmm...have not tested the ph of tap water before. For tank water, did you test it when ur lights were on? When lights on, PH increases, lights off, ph decreases. To increase ph, you can use buffer solutions e.g. seachem buffer or just dose carbonate. Try to maintain ph at ard 8.1 to 8.3 when lights are on.

Another thing to do is to check your dkh or carbonate hardness.

oo.. so PH will drop when the lights are out?

or drops when its at night...

cos my lights are timed to on till about 1am at night..

[fishiee]

It drops when the lights are out as carbon dioxide concentration in the tank is at its peak. When lights are on, corals (and algae) photosynthesise, taking in CO2 and giving out O2. However, at night, photosynthesis does not take place. Corals and fish alike respire, taking in O2 and giving out CO2. This results in an increase in CO2 concentration when the lights are out. The pH of the water increases as CO2 is acidic in nature, partially dissociating in water to form carbonic acid, H2CO3

And do note that pH pens and meters can go out of sync. You have to use calibration solutions to correct them. Why not test your pH pen with another pH pen from another reefer? Alternatively, you can use universal indicator or any chemcial test kit for pH on a sample of water and test your pH pen with the water sample of known pH.

[richreef]

ph pen tends to flactuate more often so frequent calibration needed.To raise ph used baking soda (even big farms in the states uses the "arm and hammer" brand )

[jackywongto]

Kiko

You need to dose carbonate to raise alkalinity, that will raise PH.

Or you can also use PH buffer.

If the situation occurs when an hour after you buff and the PH drops back to original level always, then it could be that your magnesium level is too low.

Calcium, magnesium and alkalinity are all co-related.

Go read up a little. quite interesting.

I have raised mine from 7.9 to 8.2 too early in the early stages of my tank.

There is an algae boom now and the PH is 8.3

[pokmingsheng]

Kiko

You need to dose carbonate to raise alkalinity, that will raise PH.

Or you can also use PH buffer.

If the situation occurs when an hour after you buff and the PH drops back to original level always, then it could be that your magnesium level is too low.

Calcium, magnesium and alkalinity are all co-related.

Go read up a little. quite interesting.

I have raised mine from 7.9 to 8.2 too early in the early stages of my tank.

There is an algae boom now and the PH is 8.3

hey bro you're back! haha..

dosed PH buffer yesterday..

checked this morning, PH is at 8.1...

so the best is to maintain PH at 8.3 right?

[jackywongto]

hey bro you're back! haha..

dosed PH buffer yesterday..

checked this morning, PH is at 8.1...

so the best is to maintain PH at 8.3 right?

try to keep it stable, that is the most important.

8.1 is ok too.

Try to leave to leave it at 8.1 for a few days 1st.

If it is stable, leave it.

If you really want, then you can slowly raise it gradually to 8.2

That will do.