need to raise pH

[trble81]

All,

 

We were doing our chem tests on our water today and we finally saw an increase of Nitrates :( . That's fine, I'd hate to have put fish in and had them suffer because I wasn't patient. Everything else was fine, except the pH.

 

Our pH is at 7.8. I need it to be at 8.2. With the exception of going out to Petsmart or some place and getting a buffer solution that'll raise it to the golden mark, is there a "Rachel Ray" solution that we could do (i.e. baking soda and water or something). Again, no fish in the tank so no worries on that end. If I have to break down and buy something, I will but I remember someone had a similar problem and there was a simple solution for it.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

--Mike and Heather

[dandy7200]

Simple solution, open the top to the tank and let in a little fresh air. Simpler solution, accept the fact that 7.8 is OK

[BeltwayBandit]

Baking soda or washing soda can be used to raise pH. 7.8 is on the low end of acceptable. I wouldn't start trying to adjust it yet.

Background reading:

 

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/june2002/chem.htm

 

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.php

[trble81]

Baking soda or washing soda can be used to raise pH. 7.8 is on the low end of acceptable. I wouldn't start trying to adjust it yet.

Background reading:

 

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/june2002/chem.htm

 

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.php

 

 

Thanks for the reading.

 

And thanks to both of you for the suggestions. I've opened the hood to the tank and cranked up my protein skimmer (more oxygen in the tank from the more bubbles and stuff).

 

Good to know I'm just freaking out for not a big reason right now.

[rrubberbandman]

Kalkwasser drip keeps mine at 8.2-8.25 during the day.....

[Sugar Magnolia]

7.8 is on the low end but acceptable. http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

 

At what time of day did you test? pH is lowest in the AM and highest in the PM. Also, if you are at the end of your mini cycle, it's not uncommon for pH to swing around. With still having nitrates, I'd suspect that that reading is a normal swing.