ph problem too low. cant get it up

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by baker_jeff

I was just about to test for PH on my month old tank... this is a useless test? I do have tests for Ammonia and Nitrate, both tested very low.

pH on a month old tank isn't going to give you any info that will be of use. And although some might argue, I haven't measured pH since about 2002. It just doesn't matter. Good water change routine, steady alk levels for pH buffering, and looking at your corals are much better methods of keeping a healthy tank.
pH test kits are wonky at best, and meters require constant calibration to make sure they're even close to accurate.
If you have NH3, your pH is lower than it should be. Once it's 0ppm, you're just about done cycling and can slowly begin adding things.

[StirCrazy]

as a side note, my tank ran at a PH of 7.8 for 4 years with out any problems.

Steve

[naesco]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

you need one. And Ca. get rid of the pH kit. Trade it for ammonia to get through your cycle.

I don't know about tossing the PH kit.
For newbies, ph readings are an easy way to find out whether more testing is necessary.
After a while we get to learn that problems are developing just by observing the tank but in the beginning a ph test is a very usefull tool IMO.
Among other things the ph can lower as a result of overfeeding, something dying in the tank or an overdue water change.

[Aquattro]

Wayne, fair enough points. As long as the person is aware of what can contribute to low pH, it could be useful.

[fkshiu]

What everyone said, but you can also try something as simple as removing any glass covers on your tank and opening the windows in your house to off gas excess CO2.