Low PH help!

[Fragalot]

Hi

Its about a week i am having hard time to keep PH and alk stable. It keeps droping down like a crazy. I did read most of the PH problem posts i am still having some problems. I put 2 fans for more fresh air circulation. Water movement at the surface like a crazy. I used B-Ionic 2 step buffer parameters was okay 2 days and droped again. I just lost 2-3 snails thats all but corals arent opening up like before. This morning before lights PH was 7.4 and ALK was 7dkh. After lights on still same. What could be the problem and how can i resolve it?

Thanks

[Chrismo]

7 DKH is ok, nothng to freak out about for sure. Especially if you Calcium is 400 or so.

If your PH is low, try adding a weak Kalk to your top-off water. I t will raise PH, and aide in stabilizing you ALK /Calcium.

How are you measureing PH? I find those colourmetric test kits aggravating, and the PH probes need re-calibrating every so often.

Chris

[Dene]

We need to know a few more things......

How old is this system?

What are your calcium levels?

Have you checked your magnesium levels?

If calcium is high, alkalinity will be low and therefore your pH will also be low. If your magnesium levels are low you will have trouble keeping both calcium and alkalinity levels where they should be, and pH will not be stable as a result.

I would start with a calcium test and then a magnesium test.

[Fragalot]

Thanks,
I use API Saltwater master kit and API Reef kit.

Tank is about 4-5 months old. Calcium is 380 i dont have magnesium test. I just upgrade my lights PC to MH does this effects the levels? I can only come up with this changed. Before that levels were ok.

[Dene]

What you are experiencing is normal for a tank 4-5 months old. We call this "bottoming out" (that's out term at Coralscaping/SeaLife Aquaculture). In a reef tank calcium and alkalinity levels teetter-totter up and down until they begin to ionically balance. Typically, they both are fairly low when this happens. The pH usually drops as well, or sits at the lower end of the pH range. This is all part of the natural balancing between calcium and alkalinity. Now, you just have to work at bringing your levels up and maintaining them. Nothing to worry about.

[Fragalot]

Thanks, Yesterday and today levels were okay PH 8.3, Alk 11dkh and calcium 380 I know calcium little on low side, should i try to boost it up or just wait?

[ajx22]

Boosting and maintaining from the get-go is the best practice.

Shouldn't take much to bring it up to target in a 30G.

:cheers2: