Care
Feb 19, 2026
How Do I Raise pH in My Reef Tank Safely?
Quick Answer
Raise pH by improving gas exchange, confirming alkalinity, and using kalkwasser carefully. Avoid sudden swings—stability matters more than chasing a perfect number.
Start by confirming your pH reading with a calibrated test kit or probe. Most reef tanks do well around 7.8-8.4, and consistency is more important than hitting an exact number.
Safe ways to raise pH:
- Increase surface agitation and skimmer air draw for better CO2 export.
- Open windows periodically or run fresh air to your skimmer intake.
- Keep alkalinity stable in the normal reef range.
- Dose kalkwasser slowly, especially at night, to offset natural pH dips.
Avoid these mistakes:
- Do not use large one-time buffer doses.
- Do not raise pH more than about 0.2 in a day.
- Do not ignore alkalinity while adjusting pH.
If coral growth is slowing, review your calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium together and stock healthy frags from the ReefBay shop. You can also log pH trends and dosing notes in the ReefBay app to catch drift early.
Was this helpful?
