Recent content by fearkitten

Yeah, the pH meter was the only questionable non aquarium specific form of testing I own. Everything else (ammonia, nitrate, etc.) I have droplet test kits specifically for saltwater. :)

It was indeed the pH meter that was throwing me off. I purchased a droplet test kit today and my water is now reading at a healthier 8.1 instead of 7.5. So, lesson learned here - gardening pH or any pH meters not intended specifically for saltwater use will not produce accurate results for...

Phastroh, I believe you are supposed to measure your pH at relatively the same time during the day - ideally a few hours after your lights have been on. This is due to the fact that pH levels tend to drop during the night. This is because during the day, photosynthesis helps to consume/eliminate...

Oh and just to keep this thread updated, someone on another board mentioned that perhaps the brand of pH meter I am using is not giving accurate readings because it is not properly designed to be used with saltwater. It is specifically made for gardening, which may explain why it reads our...

No, my windows and doors are open a majority of the day, so we have a constant breeze of fresh air and its only my husband and myself who live here - and in addition we have a lot of house plants so I feel like excess CO2 in my house would not necessarily be a contributor to the low pH.

I have generally been checking pH after my lights have been on for like 4-5 hours.

Hello again, thanks for the kind welcome and reply... Alkalinity: 10 dKH Calcium: 420 mg/L From past readings I believe these parameters are right/reasonable for my tank, correct? Thanks for the suggestion - I will definitely take your advice on the tap water as I don't wish to add anything...

I'm running a 30 Gallon reef tank (been up and running for about 3.5 months now) and keep encountering pH levels that are lower than recommended/normal and I fear what long term effects this will have on my fish/corals. All other parameters in my tank have been testing at normal levels but...