Ph problems

my pH is 7.8 trying to get it stable at 8.3 8.4 but i cant get it past 7.8 wth anybody pls help and some corals are not fully open :

PARAMETERS (important)
Temperature:76.2
PH:7.8
Ammonia:0
Nitrite:0
Nitrate:10 to 15ppm
Salinity:1.024
dKH/KH/Alkalinity:10-11
Magnesium:?
Calcium:?
Phosphate:0
Test kits you own: api reefmaster and saltwater
Liquid or Strips: L
Brand Name: api
Are they Expired?:?


Tank size?65g
Estimated total system?52g

Reef, fish only or, freshwater?reef

Current inhabitants? What and how many?2 clown 1 blenny 1 pajama cardinel 1 mandrin goby 1shunk shrimp 1sallylightfoot 1crowrie snails 3 mantrex crabs and 1 ???? crab and soft coral
Clean up crew?yes 20 snail couple died 10 hermits 1 black bristle star

How long has your tank been set-up?4 months

Substrate.
Type?argo sand
Depth?3in at highest point

Live rock? yes
How much?50+lbs
Did you recently add some?no

Filtration.
Type?10g sump/algae turf scrubber
Protein skimmer?yes
Do you wet or dry skim?wet
Maintenance schedule for filtration?once a week
Drilled tank/hang on back overflow?hang on back sort of
Sump/refugium. What's in it and how much?chaeto 3in sb rockrubble3lbs
Macro? What kind?chaeto and ats

Lighting.
Lighting type?t5 54wx2 and mh 150x1
Age of bulbs?4 months

Feeding
What?pellets and sometime seafood raw
How much?1 big pinch
How often?once ever 2 days

Water change schedule.
How much?5g
How often?weekly
What salt brand?instant oceans rc
Water source?glacier vendor

Additives/supplements used? vitamins
Do you have a ground probe?no
What kind of flow does your tank have?medium

 

How much buffer have you added? Have you made sure to check at the same time every day? Your alk is a little low, and it will be impossible to stabilize everything without knowing your CA or MG levels.

 

1 week now that i've been added kents superbuffer ,im not sure if i check it at the same time every time,also my cal is between 340-360 and i cant seem to find a mag test locally

 

Are you testing with a calibrated probe or test kits??? If it's kits then they may be bad. Are you getting fresh air in your house????

 

I am having the same problem lately. I use both a calibrated pH meter and chemical tests and they both (for the most part) agree.

I am 99% sure my problem is fresh air related. AC is on (being summer) and the windows are all closed. CO2 accumulates and lowers pH.

My skimmer introduces most of the air into my system and is located in the basement in my sump. I opened both basement windows and located a fan to move the fresh air towards my skimmer/sump... The pH rose from 7.8 to 8.2 in about 5-6 hours.

Coincidence? I think not.

Z

 

what about mag and calk?

 

BINGO..................I had the same issue not to long ago. Try this experiment.

Take a glass of tank water with an air pump and stone and test the ph inside the house. Now take that same glass and go outside for 30 mins with the air pump and stone. Test for ph again. Now post your results.



Luna

 

sounds like a plan hate that i cant do it tomorrow as i will be leaving for the day darn !!!! can i do the same test at night

 

you can - the principle is the same

if CO2 is the problem- your PH will increase on your sample as you add air to it and drive out the CO2

if the PH does increase , you will know that CO2 is what is keeping your PH low in your tank and to compensate - remove any tight fitting cover and increase surface agitation of your water to help the CO2 escape from your tank

Steve

 

i fn love u guys testing rite now i will get back with results