Ph

So I just set my tank up 4 days aago an the ph is at 7.9 I'm a little worried as to what I should do. Do you think it would be a bad idea to use some buffer so soon or kinda just let it be.

 

I would let it be until your cycle is over. Then fix it.

 

Well I didn't think that other stuff was too important to me considering I'm not going to keep any corals just FOWLR.

 

Magnesium and calcium affect alkalinity, which affects pH. Calcium and alkalinity are used by some of the algae that grow in the tank, particularly coralline. If alk gets too low, you could end up with low pH. So, it is somewhat important.

That being said, the odds of those parameters going out of whack is nearly nil if you do water changes regularly, since the amount used is going to be pretty low.

I would open the top to the tank if it isn't already; low amounts of air exchange can cause low pH.

 

Ok so would it be a terribly bad idea to add a fish tomorrow? Ammonia is at 0 as well as the nitrites. The nitrates are at about 5ppm.

 

way too early to add fish. be patient, it will pay off...as I'm sure many here will agree. I personally wouldn't worry about ph 7.9 either. Some tanks do just fine at 7.9. It's too early for you to make that decision or try to correct it.

 

You do have a raw shrimp, or some other ammonia source, in the tank, right?

 

I kno I should wait it's just so hard.

 

I have 30lb live rock and 3 snails it's a 40 gl