ph regulation

[cap11885]

heres the deal i cant get my ph to rise its always in the 7.5 7.6 area and ive tried buffers but still no luck. i have the 2 power heads and i know water flow can rise it i have a spare 200 power head but i just need some ideas please???

[David Grigor]

What are your alk levels at ? Thats where you need to start.

If they are withing acceptable range, I'd first make sure your PH reading is accurate before attempting to make changes. It sounds awful suspecious or testing error.

[cap11885]

i use these multi test quick dip test strips my alk is kinda hard to read but the alk is in the ideal range of 180-300 (KH)ppm and they have been reading these readings every time ive ever tested with the buffer it spikes then goes right back down

[wes]

what about your other parameters? I would not rely on cruddy test strips or cheap test kits. You'd be better off ignoring it than trying to correct it based on an inaccurate test.

[cap11885]

all others seam ok 4 my fish and LR system nitrites 0 nitrates 0-10ppm alk ideal ph low. should i go get one of the drip test tube kits for ph?

[mattb]

Don't waste your time on pH... open a window, just measure alkalinity, splurge and get a decent test kit, doesn't need to be super pricy like an API. You can not regulate pH... dumping buffers screws with the most important param, alkalinity...

[cap11885]

ok so what i need to do is get what type of test kit one with drops and a test tube, or just a better strip test?

[David Grigor]

For sure don't want to use PH buffers. Screws up your water parameters even more.

[mattb]

I wouldn't do the strip test deal... they don't strike me as accurate.... Go to your LFS, get an API alkalinity test kit, and measure your alk. I seriously doubt your pH levels of 7.5 though... You'd have to be dumping CO2 into your tank something fierce.....

I wouldn't worry about pH at all.... if your alk is fine, the pH is essentially a function of your CO2 levels in your house... Open a window. But please be sure to check your alkalinity with a decent test kit....