Bad ph probe.....

Using apex monitor and was adding ph buffer. Just looked at my tank and all of my snails are dead. Tested ph with API kit and it's at 8.8 when apex is reporting 8.27. Can high kill snails and how do I get the ph level lower now?


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High pH could kill anything, especially with a quick change.

More likely, the test kit is bad, not the probe. Test kits are notoriously inaccurate.

 

That's what everyone has been saying about that the probe is correct. My ph has gone from 8.10 to 8.27 on the probe in 3 days and the API kit has gone from 8.20 to 8.80. My hermits are still moving around. Does this mean I need to break it down and start over? Tank is only 5 weeks old. Should I get as many of the dead snails out as I can?


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I would just pull out as many of the snails as possible to keep from getting a ton of ammonia in the tank. That swing shouldn't have killed them, it wasn't too drastic.

 

If your pH probe took the calibration without incident--that is, you used the programming in the Apex, and gave the probe time to stop fluctuating, then it's most likely correct.

You can always check the accuracy with new, unopened calibration fluid.

As for your snails, I'm not sure as what level of pH is lethal, but I think wide fluctuations are more damaging than levels when it comes to inverts.

Good luck.

 

Would you guys suggest a wc and what are your thoughts on vinegar to reduce the ph?


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I think a pH of 8.27 is just fine, so nothing needs to be added to change it.