Water Chemistry

[Mandarin1313]

ARGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! I'm having water issues low pH and high nitrates. I looked on this site for some discussion, could someone point me in the right direction.

Thanks

[abigtroutt]

Looks like it time for a good water change. That will raise the ph and lower the nitrates.

What test kits are you using also? And how are the other water parameters?

[Doug1]

low pH and high nitrates, hmmmmmmmm well high nitrate is from a lot of organics breaking down and converting, in that process there are acids formed so that will bring it down after chewing up any available buffer. Carbon Dioxide will also bring it down as well. Winter time and houses sealed up against the cold tend to produce lower pH levels due to CO2 build up

[Reefyone]

Low pH: Tap water? If so, what worked for me: the Reef buffer 8.3, if not helps - check the Magnesium levels. IO salt, by any chance? This is what I'm using.
Nitrates: causes and cures
Cures: water changes and refugium. Causes - to prevent build up of NO3, try to remove all unused food and the visible wastes, improve filtration or protein skimming. Can give links, depending on what you are using, if you will be interested.
There should be an article online, Randy Holmes-Farley, Low pH - causes and cures, if I remember right. The different version of correcting pH. He is the leading specialist in water chemistry.