low pH

[j_beau_13]

I was wondering why my pH is so low (7.9) when i do weekly 5 gal water changes with Reefcrystals and dose B-ionic daily.

Mag - 1200
Cal - 400
Alk - 9.6

Should I be dosing more of the part 1 B-Ionic?

 

[Boomer]

Your pH is low due to excessive CO2. Try to read throgh this to help you understand the problem.

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

 

[waterman78]

IMO I believe that it's your Magnesium level. 7.9 pH is not too low, however this could be a result of your lights going out and the tank releasing carbon dioxide CO2 into the water column. My suggestion would be to increase your magnesium between 1300 -1500 ppm. Also elevate your calcium a little especially if your running a reef set up.

A majority of reef salts do not have the ideal amount of trace elements that our tanks needs, so we add supplements and test. Your methods of curing the issue are fine...again my suggestion would be to add more Ca and Mg. Good luck.

Larry

 

[Boomer]

Laryy his Mg++ or Ca++ levels have nothing to do with that pH Although I agree he should get the Ca++ and Mg++ up a bit.

 

[j_beau_13]

I do dose additives to the salt to get my levels up before doing a water change. Kents Tech-M and Liquid Calcium.

I also have a fuge that i keep on 24 hours which i thought would help with pH but hasn't.

 

[j_beau_13]

I do dose additives to the salt to get my levels up before doing a water change. Kents Tech-M and Liquid Calcium.

I also have a fuge that i keep on 24 hours which i thought would help with pH but hasn't.

Boomer - So from what I read, it looks like I should be dosing more of both parts of the B-Ionic do get my Cal and Alk higher resulting in a high pH

 

[Billybeau1]

Another "beau" ....Hi there.

As Boomer stated, CO2 is likely the culprit. Try the aeration test in the article Boomer posted and that will tell you whats up.

FWIW - most of us struggle with CO2 issues.

 

[bertoni]

Also, a second opinion on the pH might be interesting. Bad pH test kits seem fairly common. I agree that the issue is CO2, if the pH really is low.

 

[PatMayo]

1500 may be a bit high for Magnesium. Here is a link to natural sea water parameters. I try to keep mine as close to NSW as possible.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

Regards,

Pat

 

[j_beau_13]

i aerated the water with outside air for an hour and still didn't see a dramatic change. pH rose to 8.1 but not to 8.4 like i wanted it. How long should 5 gal be aerated for?

When i made a fresh batch of salt without aeration the pH was only around 7.9. I'll have to go to the fish store and have him test it to make sure my test isn't old.

 

[Boomer]

Bau

An hr is not long enough. More like 4 hrs or so and heavily aerated like the water is boiling.

it looks like I should be dosing more of both parts of the B-Ionic do get my Cal and Alk higher resulting in a high pH

Yes, that is true but the pH my not go up. If you add CO2 to a system the pH goes down. You can prove this by taking a glass of tank water, put in some pH indicator or pH probe. Then blow in the glass with a straw. The CO2 you just blew in will show the color of the indicator is now at a lower pH. If you use a probe the pH will show lower. If you now aerated the glass the indicator will go back to normal or the pH meter value will go back to normal

 

[j_beau_13]

So how would I go about aerating the whole tank. I'm running an ASM G-3 right now so maybe stick the air intake outside somewhere? Would that be sufficient enough?

 

[Billybeau1]

Some people see good increases in the pH level of their tank with outside air injection. But others don't. You'll just have to try it.

If you have it in your head that you want 8.4........ I doubt you will achieve this without the use of limewater.

 

[j_beau_13]

i just want pristine water conditions and to maybe help give my corals the pop they need since they look blan, theyre growing but just dont have the pop. Every other levels are fair beside raising mag and cal a little.

 

[Billybeau1]

I'd focus on the calcium level

Also where do you run your specific gravity and how do you measure it ?

 

[j_beau_13]

1.025 using refractometer

 

[Billybeau1]

j_beau..... here's what I think.

I think your refractometer needs calibrating with 53ms calibration fluid. (not ro/di)

From the looks of your numbers with RC, it looks like your refract is off about .002. Meaning, you tank may not be at 1.025, probably 1.023

That would explain the low calcium and mag levels of RC.

Contrary to popular belief, many refracts cannot be calibrated with ro/di.

I would buy some Pinpoint 53ms calibration fluid and calibrate the refract with it. Then see where you s.g. is.

Mind you, none of this has to do with the original problem posted of low pH, but I think your cal and mag could be a little higher.

 

[j_beau_13]

i tested the sg of the water from the fish store and it also read 1.025 but I will have to order some calibration fluid since its never been calibrated...I just started using RC, been using IO dosed with Tech-M and Liquid Calcium for water changes.

My mag used to be around 1275 but has dropped. I thought once you got your mag levels up, it was hard to have it drop?

 

[Billybeau1]

Well, yes and no. Mag depletes much more slowly then cal and alk, but it does deplete.

 

[PatMayo]

I usually check my mag at least twice per month. I change water weekly but still only test the mag twice per month. I typically have to add some each test.

Regards,

Pat