How do I raise pH - Page 2

Nyles · 08-21-2006, 12:18 PM

What do you mean by Crusting? Never heard that term, Are you refering to Cyano algae? How old is the tank?

Booboo33062 · 08-21-2006, 12:23 PM

No! What I'm talking about is the top of the sand in some places is crispy. When I touch it I can break through and then it's soft under neath. I heard it was because the tank didn't have enough flow. I have fixed the flow issue, but have noticed the sand is still crusty in places. It seems like it may be crusty up under the rocks too, but I can't reach those areas to check. I just don't know if I need to remove sand or just take some of the top off during W/C, or if there is another option.

Nyles · 08-21-2006, 12:31 PM

Im sure someone with the same experience could chime in, however without knowing all the veriables its hard to say, sounds like maybe there was a dip in ph at the substraite when you had limited flow and it may have caused this crusting but to do that the ph would have had to drop way below 8.0

Is it a carib sea product or some other? and is it doing it still after you increased the flow or just limited to the places you haven't broke up the top layer?

Im only asking because someone with the same experience will probably want to know the details.

Booboo33062 · 08-21-2006, 12:41 PM

I use IO, and the only other product I've put in the tank is Kent Marine superbuffer dKH. I don't think the pH dropped below 7.9. I can't really tell if it is all new or where all the crusting of the sand is. It is just hard to tell unless I touch it with my scraping tool since I can't touch the bottom of the tank. My arm just isn't that long.

Fly Guy · 08-21-2006, 12:44 PM

A couple of weeks ago i picked up a bunch of corals from a guy who was breaking down his cube. He had quite bit of hair algae and kind of meager flow. He had some fantastic zoos but his tank was fairly unhealthy and his sand was doing the same thing you describe......all the way through in some places...i didnt want his rock but part of the deal was that i had to take everything.....when i went to pull up soem of the rock in back the entire solidified substrate from top to bottom came up with the rock.
I guess my point in even saying this is that although i dont know exactly what caused it, i have seen it and do know it isnt a good thing, and if I were you i WOULD replace all of your substrate when you get the chance.......

Booboo33062 · 08-21-2006, 02:18 PM

How would I do that? A little at a time or take everything out and get it all out at once? I have a Yellow Watchman and really don't want to make him mad or get rid of him. He is so cute and I've had him since he was a little over an inch long. He eats flakes, and mysis shrimp though. I don't have anything to hold all the water.

Nyles · 08-21-2006, 02:26 PM

I thought you just lost your LMB? Anyhow, if it was me I would do a section at a time if the bed is older probably waiting a month in between, if its new and your tank is still cycling it won't really matter to much. The most important part is not to trigger a new cycle, so watch your no4 after removing part. Stirring up waste is a dangerous thing. I would replace part be siphion to remove unsettled debris. you will probably need a large tube if the sand is all stuck together.

Fly Guy · 08-21-2006, 02:36 PM

Good point Nyles about the stirring up part.....UNLESS you want to slam this out and just be done with it......... you could remove everything from your tank.....

Save at least 50% of the water from your tank, more is better but at least 50%, and put everything in a big rubbermaid container or two in the water you are saving........
Take the water you are saving and put the stuff in you want to take out BEFORE you stir the subtrate up when you remove the base rocks.....then just toss the water and use a plastic dustpan to scoop the sand out.....scrub the tank out, add new sand that you have rinsed well and put everything back in. You can put a heater(if necessary), a powerhead with a airline or a airpump in the rubbermaid to keep flow going and the water aerated. If it takes a day to do this it is ok, your stuff will be fine for 24 hours with no light to speak of.
Personally i like to just get rid of issues like this all at once instead of taking forever to do it and inevitably stirring crap up you dont want in your water column.

Nyles · 08-21-2006, 02:38 PM

Just remeber if you don't have alot of rock, you may get a small cycle again. Watch it like a hawk, or you could loose a fish.

jenajet · 08-21-2006, 03:37 PM

You said you tested in the morning. 8.0 as a morning ph is very good imo. Test it now that lights have been on and it will probably be higher. As far as sand I agree may need to replace it.

DevilBoy · 08-21-2006, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Booboo33062

I couldn't get the page to work. It said it had errors. I already have the calcium, and alkalinity levels I want. I just need to raise my pH from 8.0 to 8.1---8.3. I have noticed that there is some crusting of some of my sand.

if this is the case where you are happy with your dkh and ca levels then i would not mess with the pH. jmo... raising and lowering your pH will effect your dkh reading. one way or the other.

Nyles · 08-21-2006, 04:13 PM

I agree with Jena, if he tested in am and it was ph 8 thats fine (I didnt see him post it was an am test) and now I reread and seen it. Doh.

My range is ph 8.0 in the am and 8.2 right before lights out.

Booboo33062 · 08-21-2006, 04:39 PM

Sorry I just changed it. I was wrong, and I should have said I have a Yellow Watchman Goby. Can I keep one of them (YWG) and softies with a BB? I can't afford to buy more sand. I really hate to get rid of it. It cost us a fortune.

Booboo33062 · 08-21-2006, 04:43 PM

Well I will stay with the pH I have. I will make a new post for info on going BB.

Nyles · 08-21-2006, 04:47 PM

What sand is it? Is it like southdown? I never seen you mention what sand it was in there?

I use carib sea it was 28 bucks each for 2 large 20-30? pound bags it ran me 60 bucks (44 each at the big expensive stores) to give my 155 bowfront a nice sandbed, and my burrowing jawfish loves it.