PH issue in 5gallon Pico

[ROreefer]

Hello All, for the past 5 days I have been having trouble getting my ph bumped up above 8.0 in my 5 gallon pico. I have been using 8.4 supplement, about .25tsp per day, and my test results aren't showing much improvement.

Circulation is good, and I have been doing about 20% water changes each week. Any other products or suggestions. Just seem odd to me. I established the tank only using Nutri-Seawater, which I believe is a ph of 8.0. Is my testing kit junk? Brand new API vial test kit, no strips.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[ColorMeGone]

My nano runs around 7.8 - 8 and does fine. What is your KH?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Stop the 8.4. Alkalinity is likely getting very high and it is never the best alk additive for raising pH anyway.

That pH is fine, but if accurate and you want to raise it, you need to reduce CO2 in the tank, which can be done various ways.

 

[Dragen Fiend]

At 5 gallons, your water changes should be more than enough to maintain.
You can try doing smaller increment water changes throughout the week. That's what I do. About 1G weekly or 500ml cup a day.

My 4.8G deskmate hovers in 7.8-7.95 range. Don't chase PH.

 

[Ben's Pico Reefing]

I run an air pump on my 7 gallon. I also have it sealed up pretty well except for cable holes and spots in rear chamber top. My PH when tested recently was at 8.2. you can try an air pump but PH isn't bad.