Help with raising pH

[intenseimage]

We recently calibrated our pH probe and noticed that the levels seem a bit low.

Here is the log from my ACIII from the past 2 days:

Date Temp pH

00:00 08/19/2007 79.0 7.68
01:00 08/19/2007 78.9 7.68
02:00 08/19/2007 78.8 7.68
03:00 08/19/2007 78.8 7.68
04:00 08/19/2007 78.8 7.68
05:00 08/19/2007 78.7 7.68
06:00 08/19/2007 78.7 7.67
07:00 08/19/2007 78.6 7.66
08:00 08/19/2007 78.6 7.65
09:00 08/19/2007 78.6 7.64
10:00 08/19/2007 78.6 7.64
11:00 08/19/2007 78.8 7.65
12:00 08/19/2007 79.1 7.66
13:00 08/19/2007 79.7 7.69
14:00 08/19/2007 80.1 7.70
15:00 08/19/2007 80.4 7.72
16:00 08/19/2007 80.6 7.73
17:00 08/19/2007 80.7 7.75
18:00 08/19/2007 80.5 7.77
19:00 08/19/2007 80.3 7.75
20:00 08/19/2007 80.2 7.70
21:00 08/19/2007 79.9 7.64
22:00 08/19/2007 79.5 7.62
23:00 08/19/2007 79.1 7.61
00:00 08/20/2007 78.8 7.61
01:00 08/20/2007 78.7 7.61
02:00 08/20/2007 78.6 7.63
03:00 08/20/2007 78.5 7.65
04:00 08/20/2007 78.4 7.66
05:00 08/20/2007 78.2 7.66
06:00 08/20/2007 78.1 7.66
07:00 08/20/2007 78.1 7.66
08:00 08/20/2007 78.3 7.66
09:00 08/20/2007 78.5 7.66
10:00 08/20/2007 78.6 7.66
11:00 08/20/2007 78.9 7.67
12:00 08/20/2007 79.2 7.68
13:00 08/20/2007 79.8 7.71
14:00 08/20/2007 80.2 7.72
15:00 08/20/2007 80.5 7.74
16:00 08/20/2007 80.8 7.75


Other tests run this weekend were:

10 dkH
380 ppm calcium
1000 ppm Mg

I am slowing bringing the Calcium level up using Kent TurboCalcium.

However I cant seem to get the pH any higher. I cleaned the skimmer intake and have tried opening windows and doors (sliding door is right next to the tank) and no real improvement.

Any other options -- any additives recommended?

 

[LOTUS50GOD]

Raise your alk a little bit. PH will come up.
Do you dose kalkwasser?

 

[crvz]

You have anything to check the pH probe against? They are rather finite in use, I wouldnt be surprised if you need a new one. The numbers are just too low to trust without another data point.

 

[intenseimage]

Alk at 10 is pretty much as high as you want to go (isnt 11 basically the max?)

No dosing of Kalk

And yes, I verified the pH probe with Pinpoint solution ... reads 7 in the 7 solution and 10 in the 10 solution!

 

[virginiadiver69]

Yeah, 10dkh is fine.
Start dosing limewater for your top off and your pH will go up.

 

[crvz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13195055#post13195055 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by intenseimage
And yes, I verified the pH probe with Pinpoint solution ... reads 7 in the 7 solution and 10 in the 10 solution!

Hmm, I'd still search for some redundancy. Even though it seemed ok with the solutions, you're testing with the same equipment. You got a buddy that you can borrow a probe or monitor from?

 

[jansenwrasse]

First Calibrate the probe. If the probe is correct then try this article by the good Doc.

Low pH: Causes and Cures
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.htm

Hope this helps

Boils down to low oxygen.

 

[Dano999]

My PH is about the same. I have two PH probes an Aqua Controller lab PH probe and a Pin Point. Both calibrated and each reads exactly the same.

I dose 25 ml daily (90 gal tank) with B-Ionic two part solution.

dKh is 10 and calcium is over 500.

I have a very difficult time getting the PH above 8.0.

 

[Playa-1]

Here's a couple of links that should spread some light on the issue for you. All of this info is available in the sticky threads at the top of the chemistry forum.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/june2002/chem.htm

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-05/rhf/index.php

 

[Dano999]

Already read them both. The calibration is fine. The Alk is fine. Only leaves the CO2. I guess I need to stop breathing.

 

[intenseimage]

Exactly, ive read those time and time again and aside from Kalk (which id rather not do) it seems like my only option is a buffer of some type

 

[will16]

I had a similar issue and I ran the intake for the skimmer to an outside window by extending the tubing. Made a big difference. If your tank is close enough to a window, you may want to give that a try?

 

[intenseimage]

The tank sits right next to our sliding door and I had the door open with a fan pushing fresh air directly into the sump area and noticed a very small bump

 

[Dano999]

I would need to run 30' of tubing through the attic to get outside air. Not impossible but the area is hard to get to.

I guess I can run a test before getting into the attic to see if there is any difference.

 

[crvz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13197858#post13197858 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by intenseimage
The tank sits right next to our sliding door and I had the door open with a fan pushing fresh air directly into the sump area and noticed a very small bump

which is a huge surprise. if you were really that low, grabbing fresh air should make a big impact to tank pH.

 

[Dano999]

Ok the test has begun. Air input looks good with no restrictions. How much time do you think is needed to see results?

 

[will16]

I would give it a few hours... maybe a day, but I definitely saw an increase in my tank. My avg ph went from about 8 to 8.2-8.3 and stayed a bit more consistent overnight.

 

[Dano999]

I have it running through the front door. Hope it doesn't get too hot today or my A/C will be cooling the front porch.

 

[will16]

lol. I cut a narrow piece of insulation styrofoam the width of my window and closed the window on it. Put a hole in that and ran my tubing through it.

 

[Dano999]

I will be ok for the test. If it works I need to run it through the attic anyway.