PH low?

Notsolostfish

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My tank finished cycling. Did a warer change 50% but my ph is always low since the statt right now its 7.96. It range from that to 7.76. Is that normal for a new tank with no life?
 

Gtinnel

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That seems pretty normal IMO if you aren’t doing anything to try and raise it. I am currently running an outside airline to my skimmer and it runs through a CO2 scrubber and my pH runs between 7.8-8.1.
I am currently looking into a higher pH alk additive to raise it, but for a new tank that isn’t an option if nothing is consuming the alk.
 
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Notsolostfish

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That seems pretty normal IMO if you aren’t doing anything to try and raise it. I am currently running an outside airline to my skimmer and it runs through a CO2 scrubber and my pH runs between 7.8-8.1.
I am currently looking into a higher pH alk additive to raise it, but for a new tank that isn’t an option if nothing is consuming the alk.
So im good to add fish?
 
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Notsolostfish

Notsolostfish

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I wouldn’t want it dropping any lower but it should be fine to add fish.
How do i prevent it. My tank is in the basement and my basement is a bit humid and i have a dehumidifer on. I dont know if that makes any difference.
 

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How do i prevent it. My tank is in the basement and my basement is a bit humid and i have a dehumidifer on. I dont know if that makes any difference.
See if the link I posted on post #4 helps. It would start with ensuring your reading is accurate (ish).
 
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Notsolostfish

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See if the link I posted on post #4 helps. It would start with ensuring your reading is accurate (ish).
I mean the reading are accurate. I tested with apex and other testers as well
 

Yates273

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How do i prevent it. My tank is in the basement and my basement is a bit humid and i have a dehumidifer on. I dont know if that makes any difference.
Are you running a skimmer? If so like Garf mentioned run a line from your skimmer intake to the outside to bring in fresh air. See if that helps. You may not need a co2 scrubber. Like many have told me don’t chase ph. Your current numbers are not horrible.
 

Gtinnel

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How do i prevent it. My tank is in the basement and my basement is a bit humid and i have a dehumidifer on. I dont know if that makes any difference.
The humidity in the air makes no difference to pH as far as I know. The issue is usually with CO2 lowering your pH. As mentioned already if running a skimmer an outside air intake should help, or using a CO2 scrubber. Also opening windows to get some fresh air in the room would likely help if that is a possibility.
With the tank being new and I assume you aren’t adding any especially delicate corals yet I wouldn’t worry about your pH for now. Once you start adding corals that are lowering your alkalinity you will have the ability to raise your alkalinity back up with supplements that will also raise your pH.
My pH is just slightly higher than yours and I keep fish and corals (including acropora). I do want to raise mine to encourage coral growth but I haven’t had any know issues from my pH levels.
 
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Notsolostfish

Notsolostfish

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The humidity in the air makes no difference to pH as far as I know. The issue is usually with CO2 lowering your pH. As mentioned already if running a skimmer an outside air intake should help, or using a CO2 scrubber. Also opening windows to get some fresh air in the room would likely help if that is a possibility.
With the tank being new and I assume you aren’t adding any especially delicate corals yet I wouldn’t worry about your pH for now. Once you start adding corals that are lowering your alkalinity you will have the ability to raise your alkalinity back up with supplements that will also raise your pH.
My pH is just slightly higher than yours and I keep fish and corals (including acropora). I do want to raise mine to encourage coral growth but I haven’t had any know issues from my pH levels.
My alk is 7.0 with hanna checker is that good or bad. Fresh warer chanfe too tropic marin salt.
 

Gtinnel

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My alk is 7.0 with hanna checker is that good or bad. Fresh warer chanfe too tropic marin salt.
Its also towards the lower end of the recommended level. I try to keep mine closer to 8.5 but with alkalinity stability is more important than the actual value. If you aren’t looking to add corals yet (which I personally wouldn’t in a newly cycled tank) then alkalinity isn’t really a concern.
 

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