I'm sorry about asking so many questions. Live rock/sand question

[inuyasha_lover_21]

Does live rock/sand need to have a PH of 8.2? I am trying to find this stuff called proper PH 8.2 but its so hard to find it locally. I may get it online. Any thoughts on this product?

[leebca]

Generally you want the lifeforms from the live rock to be 'comfortable' in the display tank. Controlling the pH in the display tank is part of the challenge of learning what needs to be done to create high water quality. So although it isn't imperative for the pH to be in range for live sand and rock, it should be kept there to maintain the life of those two AND for the aquarist to gain experience controlling the water system.

I'm not familiar with Proper pH.

Ask as many questions as you like.

[melancthon]

ProperPH should work well enough to get the water where it should be, but if you find yourself really having to rely on it to maintain your pH everyday, you should look into seeing if there's anything in your system that keeps pulling it down; is your alkalinity ok to help with buffering? etc.

[inuyasha_lover_21]

I have not gone into setting up the tank yet. Our water here is 7.0-7.6 PH. Is There anythhing that can boost up the PH other then proper PH? Would instant ocean's instand salt boost it up? I bought 2 bags of that online. I also bought Natres oceans Live reef sand. On the bag it says. "maintains proper PH". Any thoughts?

I wanna make sure I ask on here before I set up everything. That way there are no bumps down the road.

[leebca]

I'm getting a bigger picture of the reason for your question.

The exact pH of the source water (See: WATER - Source and NSW) is not a major concern. Once you add the artificial salt mix to the source water, the salts will adjust the pH to the right zone. IF after adding the salt and making sure it mixes for as long as recommended by the artificial salt manufacturer, the pH is not in the right zone, then you need to be concerned and use such products as Proper pH.

Try mixing up some salt water using the proper source water (see above reference) and the proper amount of artificial salt and measure the pH.

Since you haven't begun to set up your marine system yet, I'd recommend you spend time reading this: Setting Up a FOWLR Aquarium

[inuyasha_lover_21]

We have well water. would that be safe for the fish or would I have to buy a RO/DI machine? I saw a few on ebay that I really liked. Our well water has no chlorine or chloramine.

[leebca]

My understanding of well water is that its quality can vary. With the 'moving target' of quality, it would be best to use a better source water. I don't see where the size of the marine system has been discussed (number of gallons). If your system will be less than about 70 gallons, then buying RO/DI or distilled water is more economical and reliable, in the long run. When the system gets over 100 gallons, it is usually prudent to make the source water needed from an RO/DI unit.

If you want, testing the well water before each use can be something to do to qualify the water, but that can be problematic since home test kits don't test for everything, and you'll end up spending time and money performing tests for ammonia, nitrite, phosphate, nitrate, copper, etc. Well water can be a source of proteins that you really don't want to introduce.

Unfortunately, well water may be suitable for most human consumption uses, but not usually suitable for marine fishes.

[inuyasha_lover_21]

Would the brita filter work to DI the water?

[Firefish]

I use my well water for my tanks. It's pretty clean stuff except for a little iron & a few other minerals. But my well is 700 feet deep and that makes a big difference. I still use an ro/di unit to purify the water, it's amazing the stuff that's filtered out.
I would recommend using some sort of filter between your supply and the tank, you'll feel better
about it.

Would the brita filter work to DI the water?

I don't think this is what you're looking for. I know brita makes a lot of filters but I think they are mostly for taste / odor & larger sediment like rust and sand. Lowes has a huge selection of ro/di filters, a lot more then Home Depot, around here anyway.

don't worry about asking too many questions, thats what this forum is here for.