How to raise PH without Raises AK

[MRCORAL]

Is this impossible? I got a new Pinpoint and my pH is around 8.05 Max during the day. I have been putting pH Kent Marine pH 8.3 Buffer to raise it. It goes up to 8.15 then the next day it can never get back to that level. All corals and fish are doing well. However, I tested my AK and it is 14 now which is high. Any ideas?

 

[BeanAnimal]

Randy can help with the chem part of this, but I suspect a switch to the recipe #1 of Randy's two part system will help. You did not mention what your normal additive system was (CA reactor, 2 part, kalk...etc).

You may also want to look at adding a refugium on a reverse lighting schedule to help keep the PH higher at night. If anything this may help smooth out the swings.

 

[leeweber85]

Your house might have elevated CO2 levels which would cause a low PH. You could try opening some windows for a while and see if that helps. Or if you can, run an airline from your skimmer to the outdoors (like through a window)

That would be my best guess but I sure am no chemist!

 

[MRCORAL]

I going to add a fug. I dont have a CA reactor.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Ditch the buffer. It is not a useful way to raise pH, and just ends in excessive alkalinity.

The best ways to raise pH are to add limewater (don't worry about alkalinity as it adds calcium too) or to aerate with fresh air. Using a high pH two part additive can also help. A brightly lit refugiumm can also help use up CO2.

This article has more:

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

 

[MRCORAL]

How fo you add limewater to the tank? Right now the PH is at 8.03 and Ak is 14. Lights still on.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

It is best added slowly, with a dripper or slow pump. This article has more info on limewater and how to use it:

What Your Grandmother Never Told You About Lime
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.htm