Help ph high !!

nater · Aug 19, 2011

so , i am just looked at my apex and my tank ph shot up too 8.64 !! this is a new tank on it's second week of cycle. i need advice. any way i can bring it down? my calc and alk are both high. i am worried for my clown pair that are in there. i am about to pull them out and put them in my 90 gallon, unless this is any where near acceptable. i am worried now.

alk - 10 dkh
calc - 500 ppm

nater · Aug 19, 2011

i am reading i can use vinegar , but will this be enough or even a good idea? i am in real need of assistance on this.

jaytizzle · Aug 19, 2011

First off, why do you have a pair of clowns in the tank and it's only been up for two weeks?!

Next, don't do anything too fast. How do the fish look? Labored breathing, lethargic? Or are they looking just fine?

When did you calibrate the pH device? How did you determine the pH? What salt are you using? Are you dosing anything? Don't panic, this can be figured out.

tqpolo · Aug 19, 2011

8.6 PH seems fine to me.

sreefer · Aug 19, 2011

Just take the fish out and put it in your 90 then leave the tank alone until it's fully cycled. No need to ask what salt, are you dosing blah blah. Useless questions until tank is fully cycled.

nater · Aug 19, 2011

using an apex. going to probably just take them out. i added some alk and cal , but a small amount. i added two pieces of live rock to the tank before i went to dinner. the fish are swimming normal and seem to be breathing just fine. they are with each other like normal. i think i am going to take them out tomorrow and slow acclimate them to my 90 system. probably due to my lack of patience with the alk and calc. even though it was a small amount , i think it spiked it. i am using a slow addition of vinegar right now, just to bring it down under 8.6. it was 8.16 when i left the house earlier , and i added the calc around 5.

jaytizzle · Aug 19, 2011

Thanks for you great insight there, 1zoanthid. Glad to know you're on top of everything.

nater · Aug 19, 2011

yeah , i was just typing thanks so much. i am just so bent out with stress. i really appreciate all your guys help. i must say that this forum has some of the hobby's best people to reach out too. i really do appreciate it. i will hopefully sleep a little tonight , and see what waits for the morning. i have a 20 gallon frag tank i can plumb into my display and get the clowns out. i feel bad about not being more responsible for these animals and much respect to you all for lending your time to people in need of guidance.