Low PH Problems - HELP!

As far as I know my PH has always been low. I have had my tank for about 2-3 months and I used to test with the test kit and got readings at the highest of 8.0. I now purchased a Pinpoint PH monitor and my PH wont rise above 8.0 unless I add in the marine buffer other than that it hovers around 7.8 and sometimes at night or very early in the day it even lowers to 7.6. Please help me, I read several articles but am losing hope.

 

There's nothing wrong with pH levels of 7.8 to 8.

You want to shoot for levels 7.8 to 8.4. You're doing just fine.

If you're concerned that you can't seem to get your levels higher, make sure your ca, alk and mag. are all in line. Finally, do what you can to assure your water is sufficiently oxygenated.

Good luck.

 

I'm just worried because sometimes it lowers to 7.6...would adding an air stone connected to an pump help to aerate the water and raise the PH?

 

When is the last water change you've done?

 

I changed the water yesterday actually...It is still low...

 

Airstones will help aerate the water, yes. A good protein skimmer works wonders too. If you can achieve a little chaos in the water cascading into the sump, that helps. Also, having no covers on the tank facilitates gas exchange.

 

Yes, adding an airstone could help. PH stability is only one of their many benifits
But, like Sparky said, there really isn't anything too terribly bad with your PH. While you could stand to get it up a bit, stability is more important than the actual number.
You could try adding some more buffer. Make sure to wait at least 24 hours after adding the buffer to get a accurate test. Also, test at the same time every day.
Also, what is your CA, MG, and ALK levels? Those can all tie into proper PH as well.

 

Actually I don't have a sump unfortunatly...was looking to get one but not affordable right now...thats another thread topic to start...as for the skimmer I have a red sea prizm..not sure if thats good or not....my glass lid has been off the whole time I had the tank I dont have anything to measure CA or MG at the moment unfortunatly...i do know my ALK was about 3.5 meq or something like that

 

Alkalinity

I'm reading it should be in the range of 8-12DKH

From what I've heard that range will make it so where your PH will stay stable.

Hope that helps,
Mike

PS After your Alkalinity is in that range maybe then start to get your PH up a tiny tiny bit "AFTER"

 

Yup, I would get your Mg in line first. Then Ca. Then do your Bicarb. The numbers I aim for are

Mg: 1500-1550
Ca: 470-480
dKH: 12-14

As stated above, get these in line and pH will follow as long as you do not have a lot of CO2 in your system that is contributing to carbonic acid production and the subsequent drop in pH. Lots of surface water movement (without the cover) will do the job just fine.

If I were you, I would get test kits (Salifert) for Ca, Mg and dKH. Pick up some Epsom salts for Mg. I use Reef Builder for bicarb and Reef Advantage Calcium for Calcium. There are other products, but that is just what I do. You do need to fashion some sort of drip system to introduce these products into your tank though. It cannot be all at once. A tupperware juice container, a piece of airhose and one of those little airline drip control thingies (sorry for using the word thingy---in plural form no less) is all you need.

Here is a link to what I mean by the word thingy.

(6) Air Line 2 Way Aquarium Pump Valve Drip Control - eBay (item 290255054188 end time May-18-09 18:47:17 PDT)

Good luck dude.