Can't Get PH to Raise Higher Than 7.8...HELP!

[littlea8]

Hello,

As of now I have one green chromis, some snails, and some crabs inside my tank. After about a week or two my PH is still at 7.8. I have been adding Seachem marine buffer pretty much every single day and still the PH remains the same. I have changed the water twice so far but for some reason my PH will not go up. How can I get the PH to raise to the appropriate levels so I can start adding more fish? Someone please help!?!?!

 

[Lotus]

What's your alkalinity? It should be at least 8 or 9 dKH. Also, what kind of flow do you have in the tank? There needs to be significant surface movement and air exchange to keep the oxygen levels (and the pH) up.

 

[littlea8]

my alkalinity is at 3.6 meq/L and I have a koralia power head in there

 

[Lotus]

What size Koralia, and what size tank is it? If it's the tank in your avatar, and it's enclosed, there may not be enough air getting to the tank. I can't really see from the picture, but an enclosed hood can cause problems. Open the hood for a few days, point the powerhead towards the surface and see if you get a higher pH.

 

[littlea8]

I think its a size 2 koralia?...I'm not sure I can double check...its a 46 gallon bowfront...I just checked the PH and thankfully it was at 8.2....im not sure if thats because I JUST added the Seachem PH buffer like 30 min ago....I have some premixed saltwater ready cause I was going to change it becuase I heard that makes the PH go up...should i still change the water tommorow?

 

[Lotus]

I think you'll need to add another powerhead to the tank. A single powerhead doesn't really create enough random current in a tank that size. One at the opposite end should help keeping the tank healthy.

Changing water will only make the pH go up if the pH in the new water is higher than in the old water. Have you checked the pH of the water change water?

 

[littlea8]

naw i havent tried that....ill go check that now...and i was sticking with one power head cause my green chromis (the only fish i have in the tank) looked like he was struggling sometimes...then again im a begginer lol...i think ill need another one

 

[littlea8]

the PH of the saltwater that I mixed about an hour ago was very low..it was around 7.4

 

[Lotus]

The saltwater you mix up should be well oxygenated while you're mixing it. A powerhead, or water pump keeping the water moving should help increase the pH. You could also check the alkalinity of the new water, just to make sure it's OK.

 

[littlea8]

i dont really have anything to keep it circulating?....is that okay that the PH is so low for the new water....wont that make my tank PH low?

 

[Chris_A]

Just in case, maybe try testing your tap water (pH and KH) after it's sat in a clean cup over night. Try the same with the freshly mixed salt water.

Also, what kits are you using and are they new?

Chris

 

[littlea8]

im using a red sea test kit with both PH and KH included in the box....c