High Ph/KH

[babogart]

Hello,

I am hoping that you can help me with some parameter issues with my 90 gal mixed reef.

Within the last several months I hooked up am Octopus Calcium reactor. For the most part, it has made maintaining the alk. levels easy. The biggest issue that I have has is in the plastic valve that controls the addition of the effluent to the sump. It has been difficult to control the drip rate and I need an alternate.

This brings me to my issue. I noticed that the effluent flow rate was abnormally high this past weekend. I tested the KH level in the system with a brand new Elos KH kit. It measured 23. (Yikes!!)

I slowed the effluent down to ~1 drop per three seconds. The KH tested at 15 with the same kit last night. So, I am going in the right direction.

The issue that I have is that the Ph in the system showed 8.5 prior to the lights going off and 8.3 prior to the lights on this morning.

My assumption is that there was a balance between the effluent rate and the addition of Kalk as top off that allowed the Ph to remain at 8.3 during the day, and 8.1 at night.

The animals/corals in the system look great.

Is there something that I should be doing at this point that I am not?

Sorry for the winded post. I hope I did not miss any details.

Thanks,
-Brent

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

The pH is usually driven mostly by the CO2 level in your home air, not any special issues with the tank unless you have poor aeration, add a lot of high pH additives, or add excess CO2 from the reactor. The high alkalinity may be contributing to the high pH, as expected. But the pH measurement may also be off on the high side.

I'd reduce the CO2 and not just the effluent flow rate. That will dissolve less CaCO3 and deliver less alkalinity (and calcium) to the tank.

 

[babogart]

Thanks Randy.

I will reduce the count on the CO2. Ph in the reactor is controlled by a Ph controller (RK2).

Do you think I should stop using Kalk as a top off, or should I continue to use it with the reactor?

-Brent

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

If it were my tank, I'd keep the limewater as normal and reduce the CaCO3/CO2 reactor to get the alkalinity you want.

So the controller controls the CO2? I prefer manual control, but if that is the way, raise the pH a bit.

 

[quincy2008]

I have been very pleased with he two part solution from Bulk Reef Supply,