How high is too high... pH?

[TheRealRuk]

I switched from B-Ionic to BRS 2 Part (cost). I went with recipe 1 because my pH was under 8.4. I started dripping Kalk shortly after and my pH is leveling out between 8.35-8.48... Has gone up to 5.2... How high do you guys let your pH run before you try and lower it? Do I need to switch to recipe 2?

Matt

 

[mr.maroonsalty]

You don't want to go much higher; 8.6 seems to be the benchmark. There are some real plusses to having a nice strong ph like yours is now. Do you know where your Alk is at, because without higher demands for carbonate/bicarbonate fully saturated limewater will usually more than cover the tanks needs?

 

[TheRealRuk]

I just got the lime water to start dripping consistently last night so I'm going to test my calc, mag, and alk before I dose in the morning. It was at 9.3, 460, and 1400 (last night) when I was inconsistently dripping in 1/2 to 3/4 g of lime water. I was also adding about 60ml 2 part every morning. I'm dripping about 1.5 g lime now spread out over 24 hours. I don't think it's ever gone over 8.52 even as I was adding the Alk...

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

jmo

jmo

don't get caught up in pH numbers.

Test alkalinity. Dose alk supplement to keep up with demand accordingly. Notice pH when alkalinity levels are "good" and choose an alk supplement formula "A" or "B" (sodium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate) accordingly.

pH 8.6 is about as high as you want to go.

 

[TheRealRuk]

Thx guys, that's exactly what I was looking for.

Matt