Can't Get PH to Raise Higher Than 7.8...HELP!

http://www.3reef.com/forums/water-chemistry/ph-question-61170.html

 

Yup, tangster is 100% on this one. Take the lid off and it should be right as rain by tonight. The lid causes a build up of CO2, which leads to elevated levels of carbonic acid in the tank. CO2 is exchanged with O2 at the surface mostly. Lids effectively hinder the process.

 

you can use baking soda to bring it up as well

 

okay I took the lid off...i really hope it doesnt jump out...i think ill do a water change tommoorow and possibly add more fish soon

 

Yes but its best to mix the baking soda with some borate like Boraxo 20 mule team laundry booster mix one part boraxo with 4 parts baking soda.. Baking soda will tend to pull Ph down as its a acidic salt and once the carbonates are exhausted ten the ph can tend to fall over time . But at this time of yr after a long winter the ph will respond when the house is opened up to fresh air .

 

i just checked my PH again today and it went back down to 7.8 with the lid off...uggggghhh...

 

Are you testing at the same time of day as you did last time?

 

Use pickling lime (kalkwassar) to raise the pH without effecting the dKH.

What are you testing with? If you think there is a problem, DO NOT trust the pH monitor. Calibrate it and use a test kit to find out your water parameters.

 

actually i havent been checking at the same time of each day....what time should i be testing...am i doing something wrong?...i leave my light on for about 12 hours a day tehn turn it off at night...and back on when I wake up...im so confused

 

You need to get a timer for your lights. I have been using Kalk for my top offs and just started using Brightwell Aquatics Reef Code a and B. A two part ALK, CAL supplements. Until you get the ph corrected test in the morning before the lights go on and at the end of the day when the lights will be going off. Sometimes freshair works but it depend on how much fresh air you are able to get to your aquarium. If the house is very closed up like mine with 2 kids thats why I use kalk and a 2-part supplement