Issues with PH dropping HELP asap

[rocknurworld]

So I've set up a new tank the fluval evo which has seachem live sand and seachem life rock 52litre and am on day 25 and I'm getting nitrite and nitrate at the moment not quite cycles yet. But my oh is dropping a lot which i don't understand.
So 2 days ago my readings were
PH 7.4
ammonia 0
nitrite 2-5mg/l
nitrate 50mg/l
KH 11
phosphate 0.5
salinity 1.023

after this I did water change of 20litres using reef crystals salt.

Today I have taking readings again which are
ph 7.29
ammonia 0
nitrite 2-5mg/l
nitrate 50-100mg/l
salinity 1.024

So why is my PH so low as it should be above obviously 8.1 at least but it's massive difference to be down to 7.29 and that's after nearly a 50% water change 2 days ago and it's even less now than it was when I tested before the change 2 days ago.
Any advice on what's happening and how to fix it would be greatly appreciated thanks

 

[MichaelReefer]

Some tanks just naturally have lower PH. If I dont use a Co2 scrubber my PH can drop as low as 7.4 at night. Sometimes even 7.2

 

[rocknurworld]

Some tanks just naturally have lower PH. If I dont use a Co2 scrubber my PH can drop as low as 7.4 at night. Sometimes even 7.2

so why is it dropping so low and how will that affect new fish and corals ? At the moment it only has 1 fish in it and no corals.

 

[rocknurworld]

Some tanks just naturally have lower PH. If I dont use a Co2 scrubber my PH can drop as low as 7.4 at night. Sometimes even 7.2

Also to note I don't have a protein skimmer on the tank as it seems most people say the evo is better using the compartment for extra media than using the fluval ps2 skimmer.

 

[davidcalgary29]

pH tends to swing on new, unstable tanks. You're just going to have to let yours mature, and I suggest that you move on to a Hanna checker (if you aren't using one) for greater accuracy. Really, pH is the one parameter that doesn't matter to many FOWLR tanks unless something has gone really, really wrong...and I doubt that's the case with yours. The pH in my Evo went down to 7.51 during its cycle, and then I just stopped worrying about it when I realized that my focus was going to be on softies and LPS.

 

[1979fishgeek]

I work at a marine reef specialists and test a lot of customers tanks and a low pH is not uncommon in some of the cycling tanks I believe it can be a byproduct of the cycle and the different bacteria establishing and the effects of ammonia, nitrite etc so should stabilise with time.

Something to remember is that pH is always lower in the mornings before lights come on and peaks through the day.I’m seeing a lot of tanks running at 7.9 first thing in the morning (especially this time of year).

I see you are also in Scotland so I expect you’ve got your windows and doors shut tight (with the heating on!) this means co2 builds up in the home from you and your family members breathin, co2 in our aquariums lowers pH (Google CO2 ocean acidification and it’s the same thing on a small scale) Sometimes just opening a window to let in the fresh air can increase pH.

Once your tanks cycled if you still have low pH you can increase it with various methods. You could dose a product designed to increase pH, there are many but you want to choose something which does not causes big swings over short periods, stability is more important than chasing numbers. I use a two part dosing solutions by Reef Zlements called PHPlus which also feeds my tank the Alkalinty, Calcium, Magnesium and trace elements this suits my tank with a lot of coral. I also use Kalkwasser in my RO top off water as this gives a much needed boost this time of year with all the mouth breathers in my house ie four people and two dogs and it’s easier than asking everyone to not breath out or freezing us all with a constant open window. Lol

There are also co2 scrubbers that can be installed usually on the air intake of protein skimmer. I’ve got a few customers say they drilled a hole in the wall and run the air intake tube of their skimmer through it pulling in fresh air.
Good luck!

 

[rocknurworld]

I work at a marine reef specialists and test a lot of customers tanks and a low pH is not uncommon in some of the cycling tanks I believe it can be a byproduct of the cycle and the different bacteria establishing and the effects of ammonia, nitrite etc so should stabilise with time.

Something to remember is that pH is always lower in the mornings before lights come on and peaks through the day.I’m seeing a lot of tanks running at 7.9 first thing in the morning (especially this time of year).

I see you are also in Scotland so I expect you’ve got your windows and doors shut tight (with the heating on!) this means co2 builds up in the home from you and your family members breathin, co2 in our aquariums lowers pH (Google CO2 ocean acidification and it’s the same thing on a small scale) Sometimes just opening a window to let in the fresh air can increase pH.

Once your tanks cycled if you still have low pH you can increase it with various methods. You could dose a product designed to increase pH, there are many but you want to choose something which does not causes big swings over short periods, stability is more important than chasing numbers. I use a two part dosing solutions by Reef Zlements called PHPlus which also feeds my tank the Alkalinty, Calcium, Magnesium and trace elements this suits my tank with a lot of coral. I also use Kalkwasser in my RO top off water as this gives a much needed boost this time of year with all the mouth breathers in my house ie four people and two dogs and it’s easier than asking everyone to not breath out or freezing us all with a constant open window. Lol

There are also co2 scrubbers that can be installed usually on the air intake of protein skimmer. I’ve got a few customers say they drilled a hole in the wall and run the air intake tube of their skimmer through it pulling in fresh air.
Good luck!

thanks for your advice. Yes your correct I'm in scotland yes it's winter and few degrees or so outside most days and yep shut tight heating on.
Time of day is I had taken the ph reading was 11.30pm approx .
So are you saying due to been new tank leave it as is don't pay attention to atm until a bit after cycle is complete and see what I'm getting and then consider dosing etc if still an issue. I don't intend this to be FOWLR tank I will be adding corals etc.
Also I don't run a protein skimmer on this fluval evo as most seem to say it's better to use the chamber for media instead of skimmer ? so couldn't even add co2 scrubber anyway.

Does this big type of ph drops in relation to co2 effect saltwater tanks more than freshwater tanks? I'm new to saltwater but have run freshwater tanks for 15plus years and have a couple in the same room and never have had issues in all the years of large ph drop issues due to room co2. in fact never something I even considered till this tank.

 

[rocknurworld]

pH tends to swing on new, unstable tanks. You're just going to have to let yours mature, and I suggest that you move on to a Hanna checker (if you aren't using one) for greater accuracy. Really, pH is the one parameter that doesn't matter to many FOWLR tanks unless something has gone really, really wrong...and I doubt that's the case with yours. The pH in my Evo went down to 7.51 during its cycle, and then I just stopped worrying about it when I realized that my focus was going to be on softies and LPS

yes I would like to get Hanna but they aren't the cheapest of things. Atm I use for my tests is jbl and colombo liquid tests and I have a cheaper ph monitor pen.

 

[rocknurworld]

I work at a marine reef specialists and test a lot of customers tanks and a low pH is not uncommon in some of the cycling tanks I believe it can be a byproduct of the cycle and the different bacteria establishing and the effects of ammonia, nitrite etc so should stabilise with time.

Something to remember is that pH is always lower in the mornings before lights come on and peaks through the day.I’m seeing a lot of tanks running at 7.9 first thing in the morning (especially this time of year).

I see you are also in Scotland so I expect you’ve got your windows and doors shut tight (with the heating on!) this means co2 builds up in the home from you and your family members breathin, co2 in our aquariums lowers pH (Google CO2 ocean acidification and it’s the same thing on a small scale) Sometimes just opening a window to let in the fresh air can increase pH.

Once your tanks cycled if you still have low pH you can increase it with various methods. You could dose a product designed to increase pH, there are many but you want to choose something which does not causes big swings over short periods, stability is more important than chasing numbers. I use a two part dosing solutions by Reef Zlements called PHPlus which also feeds my tank the Alkalinty, Calcium, Magnesium and trace elements this suits my tank with a lot of coral. I also use Kalkwasser in my RO top off water as this gives a much needed boost this time of year with all the mouth breathers in my house ie four people and two dogs and it’s easier than asking everyone to not breath out or freezing us all with a constant open window. Lol

There are also co2 scrubbers that can be installed usually on the air intake of protein skimmer. I’ve got a few customers say they drilled a hole in the wall and run the air intake tube of their skimmer through it pulling in fresh air.
Good luck!

Also is there a way to check how much the inside co2 is affecting the water?

 

[South Carolina reef]

How many people and pets are in your house. This has a big affect on ph levels. If you're able to Crack a window or maybe add a few plants. That may help you find a more natural solution.

 

[arking_mark]

Some tanks just naturally have lower PH. If I dont use a Co2 scrubber my PH can drop as low as 7.4 at night. Sometimes even 7.2

Not likely...

Post in thread 'If you pH is less than 7.8, your pH meter is probably wrong' https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/i...h-meter-is-probably-wrong.862633/post-9413530

 

[vetteguy53081]

If tank is near a gas stove, it often will pull co2 from room. also if alk is low, raising alk often acts as a stimulant to increase the pH level in the tank

 

[rocknurworld]

How many people and pets are in your house. This has a big affect on ph levels. If you're able to Crack a window or maybe add a few plants. That may help you find a more natural solution.

it is just myself and a hamster lol

 

[rocknurworld]

If tank is near a gas stove, it often will pull co2 from room. also if alk is low, raising alk often acts as a stimulant to increase the pH level in the tank

my alk is 11

 

[vetteguy53081]

my alk is 11

What test kit are you using- SERA by chance?

 

[rocknurworld]

What test kit are you using- SERA by chance?

no not sera it's a colombo professional set i use for kh and also have the jbl combiset.

 

[rocknurworld]

thanks for your advice. Yes your correct I'm in scotland yes it's winter and few degrees or so outside most days and yep shut tight heating on.
Time of day is I had taken the ph reading was 11.30pm approx .
So are you saying due to been new tank leave it as is don't pay attention to atm until a bit after cycle is complete and see what I'm getting and then consider dosing etc if still an issue. I don't intend this to be FOWLR tank I will be adding corals etc.
Also I don't run a protein skimmer on this fluval evo as most seem to say it's better to use the chamber for media instead of skimmer ? so couldn't even add co2 scrubber anyway.

Does this big type of ph drops in relation to co2 effect saltwater tanks more than freshwater tanks? I'm new to saltwater but have run freshwater tanks for 15plus years and have a couple in the same room and never have had issues in all the years of large ph drop issues due to room co2. in fact never something I even considered till this tank.

Hi also in relation to my nitrite and nitrate readings I mentioned previously during this cycle. with readings like that how much water changes would u be doing and how often?

Also I found this really blizzare and if this ph is really that high I'm shocked . So last night I took tap water checked the ph just on the ph pen that I use and the reading was 8.4!!
then I left the sample of water out over night have checked it today and it now reads 7.65. but if I check new sample of tap water I'm getting that same reading of 8.4.
I had no idea that the ph was so high as never used to be and haven't checked it in a long time. why would they have the water with that high on and why is it dropping the next day by a bug drop to 7.65?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I agree that pH 7.29 is almost certainly not accurate for a reef tank getting any aeration.

pH is usually elevated in municipal tap water to reduce dissolution of lead and copper from pipes into drinking water.

Try this aeration test:

pH and the Reef Aquarium - REEFEDITION

by Randy Holmes-Farley For many aquarists, pH is not something that they have much experience with aside from their aquarium. For many, pH is almost a black box measurement: something to be considered, but whose physical meaning makes little sense to them. This article will Read more here...

www.reefedition.com

The Aeration Test

Some of the possible causes of low pH listed above require an effort to diagnose. Problems 3 and 4 are quite common, and here is a way to distinguish them. Remove a cup of tank water and measure its pH. Then aerate it for an hour with an airstone using outside air. Its pH should rise if it is unusually low for the measured alkalinity (Figure 2). Then repeat the same experiment on a new cup of water using inside air. If its pH also rises, then the aquarium’s pH will rise simply with more aeration because it is only the aquarium that contains excess carbon dioxide. If the pH does not rise in the cup (or rises very little) when aerating with indoor air, then that air likely contains excess CO2, and more aeration with that same air will not solve the low pH problem (although aeration with fresher air should). Be careful implementing this test if the outside aeration test results in a large temperature change (more than 5°C or 10°F), because such changes alone impact pH measurements.