I'm having some serious problems with my water parameters. In my 20 gallon tank, the salinity is fine, the alkalinity is on the low side (2-2.5), but the pH is around 9. That's probably why I've got a sick fish (a $50 Swissguard basslet who is covered in ich). So I'm setting up a 15 gallon hospital tank. I've got the SG to 1.0215, the alkalinity is about 2.5, and the dang pH is like 7.4. I've tried adding Kent marine buffer powder, but it doesn't seem to do anything. If I could get the parameters right, I'm gonna treat with Cupramine, but I'm not sure what a safe level of copper is that will effectively treat the ich. Any info. would help; that is a beautiful fish and I don't want it to die!
Water parameter problems
- Thread starter aronmoir
- Start date
Not sure, but it would help to know what else is going on with the tank. Skimming or not, nitrate levels, the salt mix you use, whether you have a refugium, for example. If you have been doing relatively regular water changes with a good salt mix, the pH should at least be near 8, unless you have a massive macroalgae growth or something that drives the pH up.
Try using something like Proper pH in your mixing tank. There's a few brands out there that have it for 8.2. I usually don't bother with these but it comes in handy to bring up the pH of buffered R.O. water.
I am concerned that one would want to mess with the buffering of a salt mix. Unless your water's really wacked-out, the salt mix should end up close to where you want it after having been mixed for a day or so.
Hi, and thanks for the responses. My nitrate is at somewhere between 20-50 mg/L. This is high, I know, but I don't want to do a water change if I can't get the parameters correct. The salt mix I use is Red Sea Salt by Red Sea. I was told that it was about the best salt mix available. I'm not skimming, although I do have one, and no refugium, although I'm working on that(not sure about the plumbing). I do have a fair amount of hair algae, and some red cyanno growing, but not a whole lot. As for the proper pH, I've tried using it in my cichlid tanks, but for some reason it didn't really work that well. I've also read that it might be unsafe for fish, I don't remember exactly what the article said or where I read it though. So I'm a little wary of trying it on my more expensive salt tank. But the thought had crossed my mind. I've also got a pair of firefish in the tank, and they seem to be fine. The Swissguard basslet and one of the firefish have a little nippage on the fins, but the Swissie isn't claiming his side of the tank, and is hanging out right in the firefishs' territory. The firefish have always gotten along just fine. Sorry for the long thread, but I hope I gave you the info. you were looking for. Thanks again!
P.S. I just remembered that I filled the water softener with salt the other day; it was out. But wouldn't that make it easy to change my pH, if the water is softer?
P.S. I just remembered that I filled the water softener with salt the other day; it was out. But wouldn't that make it easy to change my pH, if the water is softer?
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Although this is probably not relevant to your pH problems, chemically-softened water may not be a good idea. It replaces calcium with sodium, and will throw your ions out of whack. I use RO water, but even your non-softened tap water may be better.
Your salt mix is probably fine. I use Instant Ocean, and am confident in the mix, but Red Sea is decent.
Nitrate should tend to acidify your water, and reduce the alkalinity (hence it's a little low), but shouldn't increase the pH to 9. I'm puzzled.
Here's the best I can come up with (maybe others will have better ideas).
What is the day/night fluctuation in pH of your main tank? If it is only very alkaline in mid-day, it suggests that the problem is photosynthetic activity. Your somewhat low alkalinity may be exacerbating the problem.
What is the pH of your seawater after it has been mixed and aerated for a day? Should be around 8, otherwise there's a problem with the salt or your water.
What is the pH of the water you use for mixing seawater?
I am grasping at straws, but maybe some of this will help.
Your salt mix is probably fine. I use Instant Ocean, and am confident in the mix, but Red Sea is decent.
Nitrate should tend to acidify your water, and reduce the alkalinity (hence it's a little low), but shouldn't increase the pH to 9. I'm puzzled.
Here's the best I can come up with (maybe others will have better ideas).
What is the day/night fluctuation in pH of your main tank? If it is only very alkaline in mid-day, it suggests that the problem is photosynthetic activity. Your somewhat low alkalinity may be exacerbating the problem.
What is the pH of your seawater after it has been mixed and aerated for a day? Should be around 8, otherwise there's a problem with the salt or your water.
What is the pH of the water you use for mixing seawater?
I am grasping at straws, but maybe some of this will help.