Best way to correct my parameters

[sunilp]

My water parameters are as follows.

dkh 9.32
ph 8.6
salinity 1.024
phospates 0
calcium 490


What is the best way I can return my parameters back to normal? I am a bit worried about my ph at the moment. I neglected my tank for some time as I was considering a fish only tank but want to get back into coral. Would a simple water change help? I plan to dose with 2 part calcium and alk.

 

[2_zoa]

I guess I don't see the issue? Based the info given anyway.

A lot of systems would run very happy on your parameters. Berlin type system comes to mind. How is your system setup? You neglected the tank but, do you dose a carbon source? Ie...vodka, sugar, vinegar.

 

[Boboli]

Water Change

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

The pH measurement is likely an error unless you are dosing limewater (kalkwasser).

This has more:

High pH: Causes and Cures
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-03/rhf/index.htm

 

[sunilp]

I should mention, I restarted my 2 part system without checking parameters and may have over dosed alk and calcium since I don't have any SPS in the system, this may have caused the overshoot. Should I just wait for it to settle or do a water change?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Those values (calcium 490 ppm and alk 9 dKH) are perfectly fine.

No need to change anything unless your target is lower, in which case, just dose less going forward.

This has more:

Reef Aquarium Water Parameters
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.htm

 

[sunilp]

So if I understand this correctly, since Calcium and ALK are both high, I don't have anything to worry about at this point. Since ALK is high, I am assuming my ph is high? Correct?

 

[bertoni]

The pH is a bit higher than it would be with the alkalinity at 7 dKH, maybe by 0.1 units or so, something on that order. It's not going to be a big difference.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

As I mentioned, I doubt the 8.6 is real unless it was right after a big alkalinity dose.

Reef tank pH almost never gets that high in the absence of high pH additives.

This has more:

High pH: Causes and Cures
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-03/rhf/index.htm

 

[renab]

He said he may have overdosed Alk?? Yes, the pH could be that high.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Maybe we'll just have to disagree. I saw that, but with an alkalinity of 9.3 dKH, unless he did a single big overdose addition overdose within a few hours of of the pH measurement, it would not still be lingering at 8.6, IMO. That is why I think it an error.

 

[tmz]

1.024 is probably ok for salinity but with corals I'd bring it up to 1.026. I also don't think the pH is truly 8.6. How did you measure it? Is there a lot of alge in the tank?

 

[sunilp]

I bought a hanna PH meter. Calibrating this thing was not fun. I also bought some TUNZE probe cleaning chemical. The pH probe is sitting in the chemical now. I will recalibrate the Profilux. My temp was off 1 degree F so that has a bit to do with the proper calibration. I will post results tonight after testing with both meters.

 

[sunilp]

ok, So I cleaned the probe, recalibrated it and still am at 8.6. I then used the Hanna tester and came pretty close to 8.6 also. I am not dosing anything. I also performed a water change of approx. 30 gallons in my 175 gallon tank. No change. Any suggestions?

 

[sunilp]

1.024 is probably ok for salinity but with corals I'd bring it up to 1.026. I also don't think the pH is truly 8.6. How did you measure it? Is there a lot of alge in the tank?

No, there is no Algae in the tank at all.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Did you calibrate both devices with the same calibration fluid?

pH 10 calibration fluid goes bad as CO2 enters it, and the resulting pH measurement reads too high.

That said, if the pH is high, aeration will bring it down, and there are other methods, all detailed in the link I gave above.

 

[sunilp]

I will order new calibration solutions and check again. Thanks.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

:thumbsup:

Good luck.