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Test Results

I

Inquisitive

hey guys...the tank is a few days old and I just tested the system. My paremeters seem to be way out of wack....I used uncured live rock for the cycle so I know the ammonia should be high due that, but ph is low


Temp- 79.6
ammonia- 5.0
nitrite- .2
nitrate- 2.5
ph- 7.8
alk- 2.9-3.6

should I do anything to raise the ph? and if yes, what should I do? I thought about doing a water change, but I dont' want to prolong and interrupt the cycle..
 
C

calaxa

pH is slightly low but within expected range (ideal is 8.1-8.4 but acceptable is 7.8 - 8.6). How are you testing the pH? Are you using test kit or meter? If you are using meter, are you putting meter into flowing water or container with still water? What time of day? Lights on or lights off? Are windows open or closed in house when you test? Are there a lot of people in the house or are you cooking a lot, etc? Yes, all these things and probably a lot more I can't think of right now effect pH.


You can change a little water now but I would wait till ammonia dropped to zero (or both ammonia and nitite dropped to zero). Basically wait for at least part of the cycle to establish (probably affecting the pH), then make any corrections. If pH still seems low, can add buffer, kalk, baking soda, etc., depending on what you want to accomplish.
 
I

Inquisitive

ok...will stop overanalyzing and just leave it alone...laughs

and wow...I didn't realize that so much would affect ph...I'm testing everythign with teh red sea reef master kit...no probe or meter....just the test tube stuff
 
C

calaxa

Invest in a decent pH meter. Well worth it. You look at pH quite a lot and pH meters are cheap and very accurate. Hanna has some at about $40.
 
Hawkeye

Hawkeye

hmmm - i can only find a hanna tool that is $80.
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...ROD&Product_Code=HI-98127&Category_Code=Hanna

Milwaukee sells one for $50.
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...Product_Code=MIL-PH51&Category_Code=Milwaukee

Alternatively you could perhaps see if someone could lend you their meter to help confirm your results.

but I kinda agree with cmsurfr22 - if the tank is cycling there is no need to do anything just yet. Eventually you'll want to do a big water change.
 
I

Inquisitive

hmmm....thanks, hawk....I'll look into the ph meter...

yes, I think I'm just going to leave it all alone until it cycles and then do a 50% water change
 
C

calaxa

I think this is the cheap one from Hanna

HI98103 (HI 98103)

It's a little bulky but is accurate and does the job. Paying more is for ergonomics and some extra features (ie, temperature, TDS, conductivity) but that is your call. Just make sure any meter you buy has accuracy of at least +/- 0.02 (preferably 0.01). Buy some calibration fluid in case the instrument goes out of whack.
 
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