HelenMac Posted January 7, 2005 Report Share Posted January 7, 2005 Hi I have just set up a saltwater tank been running now for 10 days Noticed today my ph has dropped want to raise it wondering what I can use. Have got aqua master ph up and science products ph up. Neither say if suitable for salt water or not. Does anyone know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fay Posted January 7, 2005 Report Share Posted January 7, 2005 Hi, Welcome to reef keeping you will need Seachem Reef Buffer( Raises pH,) available from both Hollywoods and Jansens ring them first to make sure they have it in stock. I think the products you have are for freshwater. I haven't been keeping up with the site to busy have you told us about your set up if not we would like to know what you have and your plans. You will find the guys on here very helpfull. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef Posted January 7, 2005 Report Share Posted January 7, 2005 welcome to the marine world, If the tank has been going for 10 days i would not even bother about adding anything as it is still going through its cycle which could take 6-8 weeks. The ph does not matter until you have some livestock in it, Can you give us details of your tank?? like size, what filtaration etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lduncan Posted January 7, 2005 Report Share Posted January 7, 2005 At this early stage, don't be too concerned about testing pH. You should be testing Ammonia, The ammonia will spike and then start to drop off, when it starts to drop, start testing nitrite, this should rise as the ammonia level drops. Once the nitrite has dropped to zero, you can start adding some livestock slowly. If you could give us a run down of your tank so far, that would also help us in giving any appropriate advice. Layton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kermit Posted January 7, 2005 Report Share Posted January 7, 2005 I use Seachem "Reef Builder" it maintains my ph spot on, any benfits that the one has over the other? Is one for a reef and the other for fish only tank? Just curious... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fay Posted January 7, 2005 Report Share Posted January 7, 2005 Reef Builder (Raise Carbonate Alkalinity) Reef Buffer (Raises pH) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lduncan Posted January 7, 2005 Report Share Posted January 7, 2005 Both raise alkalinity. Reef builder will not affect your pH as much on immediate addition to the tank. But what they achieve in the end is exactly the same; an alkalinity boost, and therefore a pH stabilisation at around 8.3. pH Up, while entirely safe to use in a reef, is really designed for fresh water use. It is an alkalinity booster, which means it contains carbonate / hydrogen carbonate, but it comes from Potassium salts, where are ones specialised for saltwater use, like the seachem products, use calcium salts. Because calcium levels and alkalinity and pH are all closely related, it makes sense to kill two birds with one stone. Layton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wasp Posted January 7, 2005 Report Share Posted January 7, 2005 As stated in the above posts, the products mentioned will raise alkalinity, which in turn will raise PH. However, more knowledge is required before you start dosing these products, because there is a relationship between alkalinity and calcium, and these two should be dosed in balance. Here is an excellent article to run you through it. http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm. But as previous posters have said, no need to worry about this yet, your tank will take several weeks to cycle and it is pointless worrying about PH at this stage. However, alkalinity and calcium are basic to reef keeping, and is one of the first things a new reefer should get an understanding of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HelenMac Posted January 7, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2005 Hey everyone thanks so much for your replies will go to Hollywood today and get the seachem. At the moment it will be a wild tank then eventially when cycled thru want to keep 1 pair seahorses. I have 3 live rocks and 2 dead rocks at the moment coral sand and 3 hermit crabs to help cycle it. Also sea water from the sea. 56cmx38cmx38cm 80 litres for now. Running a power filter that does 500litres an hour.Later on will get bigger tank if I find I can handle it ect bit scary to start off with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wasp Posted January 7, 2005 Report Share Posted January 7, 2005 OK well calcium and alkalinity are not that critical in a seahorse tank, probably just regular waterchanges will maintain sufficient level, but nothing wrong with getting some Seachem buffer if you wish. The other part of the equation is having plenty of skimming or surface agitation to dispel Co2 and thereby keep PH up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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