PH help

[surfandshine77]

So, i tested my water perimeters today and my PH was 7.8 and im trying to go for 8.0-8.4 how do i get it up to that area? Also, my tank has just finished it's cycle and i just did my first water change last night; how long should i wait to get my CUC?

Thank you for your help

 

[tomtom14]

You could use a water solution or a ph buffer they would be the 2 options for raising your ph. You can add your cuc now. Just make sure you don't put too many snails/hermits/shrimp in the same tank together. I would wait until you have got your parameters exactly how you want them then I think it would be ok for your first fish to be added. I have my tanks ph at around 7.8~8ph and have an established reef aquarium. So I don't think you would even need to higher it unless you wanted to put something in that needed that ph level. Hope this helps.

 

[surfandshine77]

Okay thank you!

 

[BigRedsReefs10]

7.8 is fine as long as it's stable. Don't chase a perfect number just keep it stable

 

[Holygral]

DO NOT USE A PH BUFFER, it will throw your ALK way off and start you snowballing into a chemical soup of trying to balance it all out. How are you measuring, what time of day are you measuring. Do you have a sump/sump light. 7.8-8.2 is fine. Don't get caught up in chasing the perfect 8.2 number, ph always drops in the winter due to co2 build up and lack of fresh air.

 

[mr_X]

No, do not add shrimp, crabs, and snails now, since there is absolutely no food for them to eat. You don't need a cleanup crew at all. It's just a way to market livestock, and not a necessity. If you like these creatures, add a few once you get fish, for diversity, not because you think you need them.

 

[surfandshine77]

Thank you so much. I won't get a PH buffer . I normally test my water parameters around 1:00pm and no I don't have a sump I wish I did. And thanks for the information on the CUC I still do want some inverts though but I will add them when there's food for them.

 

[Terrance]

Don't chase pH. Let it be and persistently maintain stable alk.