complete Nube question about pH.

[Ballyhoo]

I'm a little confused about how pH works with respect to reef aquariums. Distilled water and regular water/Ro-di water or distilled water would have a pH of 7.0; and saltwater has a range from 7.5 to 8.4. that's just according to the information I'm getting from ChatGPT4. of course I'm not depending on ChatGPT4. I've got the reef forums. thanks guys! anyway so we need for our reefs pH between 8.1 and 8.4. Does that level of ph alkalinity occur based on getting the correct specific gravity and or correct amount of sea salt into our mix? Thanks.

 

[twentyleagues]

Yes the salt adds "stuff" that will bring up the ph. Also the sand and rocks we use help buffer it too. Co2 plays a big roll in ph both from the source water and air in the room around the tank. I am not a chemist hence the stuff comment. I really can't go into more than the basics but a lot can affect the ph levels in the aquarium.

 

[Ballyhoo]

Also, it looks like my pH might be around 8.0

 

[twentyleagues]

Also, it looks like my pH might be around 8.0

Thats not bad. Though api tests can be.....off I guess is the best way to say it. Api showed 7.4 on my tank and I freaked out. I purchased a Hannah hand held with replaceable probe. I have tested with that at different times in the day I get 7.8-9 in the "morning", 8.0-1 at noon time, and 8.1-2 at peak light around 6pm. Api shows low 7.4 and high 7.8.

 

[esquare]

As a general statement, one of the biggest contributors to PH level in our home tanks will be the concentration of CO2, as previously mentioned. Today's modern home construction results in tightly sealed houses that don't do a good job of exchanging fresh air with the outside. Therefore, CO2 tends to build up in the house and get mixed with the tank water which has a lowering effect on the PH (I am not a chemist either so can't go into the hydrogen exchange etc). If your PH stays around 8 you should be good. If it starts dropping our you want to keep it higher there are steps you can take like running a airline connected to your protein skimmer to the outside or dosing Limewater/Kalk to make up your Alkalinity/Calcium consumption.

 

[Uncle99]

Also, it looks like my pH might be around 8.0

I would not waste your time with PH.
Like a wild goose chase with that element.
Hard to measure consistently and will run between 7.8-8.0 in most applications.
Have flow run skimmer 24-7 leave it be.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

FYI, don’t get reef chemistry info from ChatGPT. It gets many reef chemistry facts wrong.