PH Balance

[mwilliams]

What is the recommended PH for Saltwater Tanks and the Alkalinity?
How do you keep it a constant?

 

[rush]

The generally accepted pH level in a basic saltwater system is between 7.6 and 8.4, but reef tanks are a more sensitive, and therefore need to be kept at the higher end of the pH scale, 8.0 to 8.4.

 

[mwilliams]

Thanks mine is at 8.0 and has been there for sometime but the LFS where I take to get my water tested they said I need to do buffering to raise it up for 3-4 days. I am slowing getting corals in my tank to where it will be half and half, Corals-Fish-LR....

 

[uscamaro]

the sand helps to keep the pH consistant

 

[Krypt]

Best time to measure your PH is right before you turn your lights out for the night. The ph of the tank will start out low (7.8-8.0) in the morning, but as the day goes on it will rise as the algae and other critters produce oxygen from the light. Only time I would say you need to worry is if your reading low at the end of the day. That means your not getting good gas exchange and may want to aim a powerhead at the surface to agitate it a bit.

 

[mwilliams]

I usually have my testing done during the mid-day range 1pm sometimes later. Thanks I will start having my testing done late evening hours. I have my Hydor at the top of the tank pointing straight across the top of the water is that not correct?

 

[Krypt]

As long as you see the surface of the water rippling, your good.

 

[mwilliams]

I don't know about rippling if it does it is a tiny bit... Will change the direction of the Hydor when I get home from work this evening....
I am not sure how to draw on Pictures that have been saved on the computers but here is a view of my tank as you can see the only side that might have some type of ripples would be where the Penquion filter is at. Right Side of tank.