Hi, I'm a hobbiest from way back, recently got back into it with the Biocube 32. All was well, fully cycled, no nitrite or nitrate levels, but my pH is low. Test strips read at 7.0 or lower, and a pH meter is reading even lower. Total alkalinity around 80. My Biocube set up is the standard pump, Aquaclear foam in chamber 1, carbon media, Chemi-pure Blue, Reef interest biopellets, and Marine pure gems in chamber 2, and a heater in chamber 3. This was the set up recommended by the retailer.
From what I read, low pH is due to poor CO2 exchange at the surface. Does this have anything to do with the tight fitting of the Biocube lid? Mine is in my finished basement. While I don't have windows, the basement is part of our central HVAC system, and we don't have a lot of people down there exhaling.
I have hermit crabs, snails, and 2 anemones still living in the tank, but I have no idea how.
What am I doing wrong?
Thanks!
From what I read, low pH is due to poor CO2 exchange at the surface. Does this have anything to do with the tight fitting of the Biocube lid? Mine is in my finished basement. While I don't have windows, the basement is part of our central HVAC system, and we don't have a lot of people down there exhaling.
I have hermit crabs, snails, and 2 anemones still living in the tank, but I have no idea how.
What am I doing wrong?
Thanks!