High PH low Mg

[rbursek]

My Mg was 1075 yesterday I added 12 oz. Kent Tech M, I had low Alk 7, added 2 tsp baking soda, Ca 440, PH 8.1 dripping Kalk. To day Alk 9, Ca 420, Mg 1000 PH 8.6. What to do to get PH down, and why can I not get my Mg up. About 120 actual gallons, RC salt at 1.026.
Bob

 

[bertoni]

According to the calculator, it'd take about 22 fl oz to raise the Mg level 100 ppm. So I'd expect something like a 60 ppm increase for that dose. I'm not sure what's going on. What test kit is being used?

More aeration will help with the pH. Also, the lime might be too strong for the tank. If any animals are showing signs of trouble, some seltzer water will lower the pH.

 

[rbursek]

New Elos for the Mg, new API for Ca, new Elos for Alk, Hanna meter for PH. How much Seltser water? Kalk mix is 2 tsp per gallon of RO/DI, and I mix in a 10 gal and transfer it to a drip jug, I am in the middle of the 10gal so I do not think it is that.
Bob

 

[rbursek]

What would have raised the PH the Kent M or the baking soda?
Bob

 

[bertoni]

Neither baking soda nor Kent Tech-M would impact the pH much. Kalk will, and so will photosynthesis.

I don't know how much seltzer water to dose. I might try a cup and see what that does.

 

[bertoni]

The Elos Mg kit has a precision of 75 or 100 ppm, so I suspect the results are in the noise at this point. I'd just keep dosing Kent Tech-M.

 

[rbursek]

I have the 75 one with the 100 instructions but talked to Jesse at Elos USA and I have the one with the wrong instructions, so have been using 75, but thinking of giving him a call on Monday just incase there may have been an over lap and I have the experation date with the 75 reagent and in reality I should be using 100, because that comes out perfect.
Thanks Jon,
Bob

 

[bertoni]

You're welcome! Good luck!

 

[rbursek]

Just did a test added more Tech M this morning, Alk 10, PH with a test strip 8.0, Hanna metter 8.5 but I remembered I have a Hanna test/calibration solution, at 59*F should be 7.04, meter read 7.7, Mg back up to 1075 and still adding Tech M. Good thing mentor will bo home tomorrow, I will double check Hanna and Mg with his Hanna and Mg test kit. Thanks all!
Bob

 

[tcmfish]

Baking soda will raise the pH. It acts as a buffer. You pH may be high because of just dosing kalk. If you had a calcium reactor which will have an acidic effulent it will help lower you pH and balance out your numbers. The kent tech M shouldn't have too much of an effect on pH. I would suggest it was your kalk dosing and baking soda.

 

[Billybeau1]

Baking soda will only raise pH if it is baked first, to drive off the CO2.

There is a big difference between baking soda and baked baking soda from my experience.

Baking soda out of the box may actually have a slight lowering pH effect, initially.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

How are you measuring pH? Most high pH problems are either measurement errors, or excessive limewater.

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

 

[rbursek]

Hanna meter, but I tested it with a Hanna calibration solution, and it read 7.7 and it should have read 7.0 going to check it against a friends this afternoon.
Bob

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Sounds like a problem with the measurement.

 

[rbursek]

Finally got the Mg to 1425 today!!!!!!! After about 36 oz. of Kent Tech M.
Bob

 

[rbursek]

Randy.
Hanna is reading a little high, was at mentors today, about .3 higher then his, refractometer same, test kits for Mg different but read the same on my water. Thanks, just doughted what i was doing.
Bob

 

[rbursek]

Not to mention $14.00 for a 16oz bottle of Kent Tech M at LFS 3 of them, DrF&S 128oz for $20.00, Espom Salts, 2 6lb for $9.00 1lt SC Mg salt DrF&sS $10.00 and acccording to the chem calculator you use 20% less ES then SC besides!!!!!!
Bob

 

[rbursek]

Sorry, the 2 6lb for $9.00 was at Wallgreens drug store.
Bob