Did a search,.. but couldn't find this. Prehaps Im dense
What do you guys keep your PH at? Is 8.2 acceptable?
What do you guys keep your PH at? Is 8.2 acceptable?
PH levels
- Thread starter piznac
- Start date
- Messages
- 365
- Reaction score
- 0
8.25 is natural seawater, so this is what everyone should be shooting for.
Anywhere from 7.8 - 8.4 is acceptable, with a good range from 8.0 - 8.3.
If you fall in these ranges, the more important thing will be stability, rather than trying to achieve a set number. Fluctuations will stress out corals and fish and could possibly bring on disease, so keeping things stable is the best you can do, as long as you fall within the acceptable range.
Anywhere from 7.8 - 8.4 is acceptable, with a good range from 8.0 - 8.3.
If you fall in these ranges, the more important thing will be stability, rather than trying to achieve a set number. Fluctuations will stress out corals and fish and could possibly bring on disease, so keeping things stable is the best you can do, as long as you fall within the acceptable range.
Good info ,.. thanks
My PH seems to range a bit during the day. Readings in the morning are around 7.8-8.0 and evening readings are usually 8.2. I read somewhere that that has to do with the photosynthesis during the day increasing the PH so after the lights have been off all night the PH is lower in the morning. Although being new to this, I really have a hard time with reading PH. The colors on the strip tests are so close I have a hard time trying to figure the difference between 7.8, 8.0 and 8.2. The API chemical test is a little better but I'm still I'm not proficient at it. I bought some PH buffer, but have been afraid to try it.
- Messages
- 2,722
- Reaction score
- 0
Hey BUD... Ya the test strips and reagents are REALLY hard to read. You need to get either a PH pen or an aquacontroller that tests PH too. You can pick up a PH pen for around $50 on e-bay (Hanna Brand is the one I use and like).
You have read right though PH changes at night and day. This is why running a Refugium with the lights on durring the night but off durring the day is very helpful.
You have read right though PH changes at night and day. This is why running a Refugium with the lights on durring the night but off durring the day is very helpful.
Thanks, Brandon. My main tank is just a 24 gallon so I'm not sure a refugium makes sense for me. I just looked up the light pen you referred to, do you need the calibration solution as well? If so which one? I'm not sure I'm going to get it yet, since I'm already putting an order together for an Eclipse 12 to house Marty (mantis shrimp). Man, this is addictive and costly! And I'm loving it!
- Messages
- 2,722
- Reaction score
- 0
Bud, Ya you need the two solutions (You can get them locally for fairly cheap). You need the 7.01 and the 10.01. You can use the 7.01 and the 4.01 but the 10.01 is better for saltwater applications. They only need to be calabrated once if you keep the probe wet. (I let mine rund dry on accedent and I need to recal it now 
.
As for the fuge, if you can run a Hang On Back (HOB) for cheap then it is well worth it, if not, then it is no big deal. Just make sure to keep fairly hardy fish that can handel the swing in PH in such a small system.
. As for the fuge, if you can run a Hang On Back (HOB) for cheap then it is well worth it, if not, then it is no big deal. Just make sure to keep fairly hardy fish that can handel the swing in PH in such a small system.
