Think I need some help with my water parameters !!!

[nikkinchip]

After just losing two newly purchased LPS corals, I checked my alkalinity level and OMG is was 10-11dKH

I'm struggling with my pH at a constant 7.8 but have been unsuccessful to try and get it raised. My salinity is 1.022 and temp 76-78F.

I purchased this tank 5 months ago from an individual that had it as MDT for 2 yrs but wanted to upgrade. So I took original water, LR, and sand bed.

After 3 weeks of cycling it and gettig my water parameters, I've since added one occ clown, one coral beauty, one BTA, and two candy cane frags. Also have 5 peppermint shrimp, 4 hermit crabs, and a few snails.

I just need some help and guidance I guess. I get so many different things told to me by a few of my LFS.
What's the safest and less evasive way to raise my salinity, pH, and lower my alkalinity?

Thanks so much

46G Bowfront
40 lbs LR
Coralife 36W and 36W acantic, LED strip
Aqueon 55 filtration & one powerhead

[hobogato]

a nice slow way to raise salinity is replace evaporated water with salt water until your salinity is where you want it. be carefull not to go too far tho. how is the airflow in your house and around your tank? sometimes stagnant air can cause a buildup of CO2 that will cause low pH.[edit] you also may have low alkalinity, which will make your pH unstable and low. what salt are you using?

sorry for the edit, just re-read your post. are you sure the alk test kit you are using is accurate?

[ErikH]

Sounds like your tank may have not been quite done cycling. Low PH causes nitrates to be more lethal, if I recall correctly.

[LuckySingh]

With this size tank and the live stock hve just regular water changes with gud salt should fix the problem..... Leave ur windows open for few hours and let ph get stable on it's own


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[justahobby]

Definitely a smart move to come here for answers :thumbs_up: First thing I would do is make a fresh batch of saltwater and test it to see if the salt is the reason for your high alk. What salt brand are you using? I'm assuming you aren't dosing? A lot of people keep healthy reef tanks at 7.8 so no need to fret about that yet.

To raise salinity you can start topping off with saltwater instead of FW. That will give you a gradual increase.

You may want to consider some extra filtration and water flow as future upgrades.

[Bill S]

What test kits are you using? Take a sample of your water, in a sealed ziplock with NO air in it, along with your test kits to a LFS. Have the store check your water while you also check it. That way you are SURE your kits are right. The number of times people have chased chemistry or lost livestock due to a bad test kit are huge.

As noted, some regular water changes are recommended.

[justahobby]

What test kits are you using? Take a sample of your water, in a sealed ziplock with NO air in it, along with your test kits to a LFS. Have the store check your water while you also check it. That way you are SURE your kits are right. The number of times people have chased chemistry or lost livestock due to a bad test kit are huge.

As noted, some regular water changes are recommended.

I'm one of those! Expired API nitrate kits have given me several near heart attacks when I read 80+ ppm.

[Big_Pun]

what are you using to check salinity, if it's a swing arm type that may be your problem. my g/f was checking hers and got a funky reading., I asked if she rinsed after ever use; and nope just a lil salt creep threw it off. I recommend using a quality refractometer. your LFS may be confused and not fully understand whats going on but they usually can provide help. this hobby is by no means easy and takes time to get it right. just hang in there!

[BSJF]

Here are links to three of my favorite chemistry articles that I live by. Read and reread them to learn what you can from them. The charts and tables help a lot to let you know what is within normal range. And there is good guidance on what to do if they aren't.

You can adjust the alk/calc balance by changing the type of salt you choose. For example, Instant Ocean is typically higher in Alk and lower in calcium than most other salts. Pro type salts like Oceanic are on the lower end of normal for alk and higher in calcium. But this isn't always consistent from batch to batch.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.php#d (http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.php#d)

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/11/chemistry

[SAY]

i don't consider a 10-11 dkh as too high. as already stated, open a window from time to time to let in some fresh air for the ph. too much co2 is probably keeping your ph down. i have even read where some people run the airline on their skimmers to the great outdoors.

[BSJF]

i don't consider a 10-11 dkh as too high.

I agree, and if your pH is low because of co2, you want the alk on the high end of normal.

However, as you increase the salinity the alk may get too high, just watch that.

[ErikH]

www.aquariumwatertesting.com/AWT_Salt_Analysis_0208.pdf (http://www.aquariumwatertesting.com/AWT_Salt_Analysis_0208.pdf)

There's what is in your salt!

IO is really awesome when you compare what's in it to the cost of other salts.

Although Todd always recommends Red Sea Coral Pro because it is dehydrated sea water, not man made.