Help I dont know what is going on!!!

phiberop840 · 02-09-2006, 07:54 PM

I did a normal water change in my 40 gallon and sucked out some of my substrate. 2 days later my water clouded up so I did a full line of test and everything is normal except my PH was low. Did I create some kind of cycle? Skimmer is working fine and fish all seem fine. One of my corals is shrivled up but that is it. The water is not clearing up. Should I be concerned or just let it go. It has been a week now.

Also how can I get my PH to be stable at 8.2. It is at about 7.8 to 8.0. I use a pinpoint meter and a chemical test to ensure accuracy. I have added Kent Marine DKH and PH buffer to try to raise it. Any ideas would be great.

Thanks
Mike

gwen_o_lyn · 02-09-2006, 07:59 PM

OMG- ur signature is hilarious- I love it!!

Sorry, but I have no ideas on what is going on with your tank.. only thing I can think of is that something may have died.
How long has the tank been going for? It does take awhile for new sand to settle sometimes, but if you cycled normally then this shouldn't be an issue.

Doug1 · 02-09-2006, 08:15 PM

Are you getting pretty much the same readings in the morning, noon, and night?
pH normally is lower at morning after the lights have been off, and will slowly rise over the course of the day, this si the result of both photosynthic and repiratory proccesses on every level.
What kind of circulation setup are you running on the tank? Do you have a skimmer on it?
Is your house fairly new and relatively weather tight, CO2 build up in a tight house can tend to depress pH

phiberop840 · 02-09-2006, 09:29 PM

Yes PH is at 7.8 in morning and now it is 8.01. House is new with good circulation.

I have a Seio M620 and a PH 660 for circulation in tank and a CPR 90 Overflow going to a Berlin sump and a mag 5 for the return. A coralife skimmer. So far all creatures and fish are accounted for. Star pollyps are not coming out lately. I really dont know why the water is cloudy.

Thanks for the help and anymore ideas would be great.

Mike

Geoff · 02-09-2006, 11:01 PM

was there anything different about the water used in the water change? did you use the same salt? how close was the salinity? was it a new bucket of salt?

G~

zanymaster · 02-09-2006, 11:10 PM

Sucking the subsrate might of lead to lower calcium and lowering the ph as well.Happened to me.Fixed it with kalkwasser and followed up with dkh buffer.

phiberop840 · 02-09-2006, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geoff

was there anything different about the water used in the water change? did you use the same salt? how close was the salinity? was it a new bucket of salt?

G~

Same RODI water, Same salt at the same salinity, bucket was made about 2 days prior. I guess at this point I am leaning towards the removal of some of the substrate to cause the PH problem and cloudy water. Something is definatly different and I am wondering if I should do another water change.

Thanks
Mike

Loverotties · 02-10-2006, 06:05 AM

was it sterd up good?I keep a powerhead in running with a heater.

Loverotties · 02-10-2006, 06:06 AM

Make anougher bucket and test it.maybe a bad batch of salt?

tims · 02-10-2006, 06:21 AM

also you said newer house good circulation,
new house woudl mean tighter fit on the windows and less drafting..you can also try using a long line hooks tothe skimmer and have it draw fresh air from out side,..

Geoff · 02-10-2006, 09:00 AM

how thick is the substrate?

G~

phiberop840 · 02-11-2006, 10:19 AM

very thin substrate. The tank looks as though it is clearing up PH is getting slowly better. I have to switch out the junk Seio Powerhead I bought today so I will recheck all things and go from there.

Thanks all for your help.
Mike