Ph

tankNEWBIE · Feb 21, 2023

I started a 60 gallon cube saltwater aquarium about a year ago. Everything looks good. The water is crystal clear and the fish seem healthy and happy. They swim, eat, sleep, and their appearances are vibrant..

Sure you're wondering what my question may be LOL..

Everything I've read and everything I see says my PH should be in the 8's.. I see posts from people wondering why their pH is so low and it's in the 7's...

I can't seem to raise my PH above 6.8.. is or should this be a concern being that everyone in the tank appear to be healthy and happy and the water is so clear you can't tell there is any in there???

Peace River · Feb 21, 2023

Welcome to Reef2Reef!!! Have you double checked your pH testing to make sure that it really is 6.8? You will likely find a lot of help in the Chemistry section of this forum - good luck with your adventure!

fishguy242 · Feb 21, 2023

HI, welcome to the reef... :)

Fish Styx · Feb 21, 2023

Greetings and welcome to the reef! There are a number of experienced reefers that can assist you with your question(s) here. I would post in the Reef Chemistry forum, but first ask you to ensure the accuracy of your testing and make sure you are using a quality test kit (i.e. not API). Happy reefing!

Alex's Nano Reef · Feb 21, 2023

Peace River said:
Welcome to Reef2Reef!!! Have you double checked your pH testing to make sure that it really is 6.8? You will likely find a lot of help in the Chemistry section of this forum - good luck with your adventure!

Look at Peace river on top of the welcomes and threads.

tankNEWBIE said:
I started a 60 gallon cube saltwater aquarium about a year ago. Everything looks good. The water is crystal clear and the fish seem healthy and happy. They swim, eat, sleep, and their appearances are vibrant..

Sure you're wondering what my question may be LOL..

Everything I've read and everything I see says my PH should be in the 8's.. I see posts from people wondering why their pH is so low and it's in the 7's...

I can't seem to raise my PH above 6.8.. is or should this be a concern being that everyone in the tank appear to be healthy and happy and the water is so clear you can't tell there is any in there???

Welcome to Reef2Reef. Good thing is you found the right place to diagnose your problem. Most likley you ph test is wrong but if its not there are definitely some remedies. Take a sample to you lfs and have them test it and after if you ph is still reading in the 6s go check out this part of the forum. Happy Reefing - Alex

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/reef-chemistry-by-randy-holmes-farley.295/

jsker · Feb 21, 2023

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vetteguy53081 · Feb 21, 2023

steveschuerger · Feb 21, 2023

Welcome to the R2R community! I bet the pH is higher if the inhabitants are as happy as you say. Among my first purchases was an electronic pH tester that I got on Amazon. Hasn’t failed me yet.

JZ199 · Feb 21, 2023

Welcome!! You've been pointed in the right direction so hopefully you can get some answers!

redfishbluefish · Feb 21, 2023

First off, WELCOME to R2R. As stated a couple times, your pH can't be 6.8 unless you're dosing a strong acid. How are you testing pH? Might wish to consider taking a sample of water to your LFS.

tharbin · Feb 21, 2023

Welcome to R2R! As others have suggested. Take a sample of your water to an LFS to have it tested or at least try a different test kit to verify your results. I doubt your pH is really 6.8.

LeannaBanana · Feb 21, 2023

Welcome to R2R! I think everyone else has you sorted asking how you're testing pH and the unlikelihood of that reading. :) Tons of helpful folks here! Look forward to seeing more about your tank soon.