NaOH in Top Off Water

[cjpitt80]

I run an altered Triton that supplements Alk, Calcium, etc. Consequently, I don't no much about 2part or kalkwasser stuff. My pH hoovers around 8.1 in day and 7.9 or 8.0 at night. I use plain RODI for my top off water. What would be the result if I titrate sodium hydroxide to a pH of 8.3 in my RODI ATO reservoir? Would this over time raise the pH in the tank? What would be the effect on the Alk etc?
Thanks

 

[mcgyvr]

Your pH is totally fine.. IMO you will likely do more harm than good attempting to mess with the pH..

While it will have a temporary effect on pH it will also cause a rise in alkalinity which can cause problems..

Have you tried a fresh air intake on your skimmer if you run one?
pH is usually dictated by the amount of carbon dioxide in the environment..
Most would be happy with and not attempt to do anything for your current levels..

 

[cjpitt80]

Your pH is totally fine.. IMO you will likely do more harm than good attempting to mess with the pH..

While it will have a temporary effect on pH it will also cause a rise in alkalinity which can cause problems..

Have you tried a fresh air intake on your skimmer if you run one?
pH is usually dictated by the amount of carbon dioxide in the environment..
Most would be happy with and not attempt to do anything for your current levels..

Yeah, open the cabinet during the day and circulate air during the day. Opening a window isn't an option. Just wondering if there was a quick easy way to boost a little. I read an article somewhere that states 8.3 is "ideal" (cant remember where) Fresh air intake would just be pulling the tube off the silencer and running it "open air"? I've read some of the scrubber things, but honestly I don't want to add more complexity to the system

 

[mcgyvr]

Yeah, open the cabinet during the day and circulate air during the day. Opening a window isn't an option. Just wondering if there was a quick easy way to boost a little. I read an article somewhere that states 8.3 is "ideal" (cant remember where) Fresh air intake would just be pulling the tube off the silencer and running it "open air"? I've read some of the scrubber things, but honestly I don't want to add more complexity to the system

Yes..8.3 is "ideal"... Just like having corals in an wide open ocean is "ideal".. Ideal as far as pH is not achievable to most as we live in these sealed boxes called homes.. Some of the "top" guys in this hobby have sub 8 pH levels because they can't do anything about it..

A fresh air intake on the skimmer would be routing the tube outside your home.. (drilling hole in wall,etc...)

I agree with not wanting to complicate things.. Hence why I suggest you throw away your pH test kit and never look at it again..

 

[bertoni]

I agree that 8.1 to 7.9 for pH is fine, and actually good for a house with the windows shut. Using sodium hydroxide as an alkalinity supplement is fine. It's equivalent to using Kalk, assuming you add any calcium that's needed as calcium chloride. I'd probably just try a bit of Kalk in the topoff, and work from there.

 

[cjpitt80]

Yes..8.3 is "ideal"... Just like having corals in an wide open ocean is "ideal".. Ideal as far as pH is not achievable to most as we live in these sealed boxes called homes.. Some of the "top" guys in this hobby have sub 8 pH levels because they can't do anything about it..

A fresh air intake on the skimmer would be routing the tube outside your home.. (drilling hole in wall,etc...)

I agree with not wanting to complicate things.. Hence why I suggest you throw away your pH test kit and never look at it again..

Yeah, was just wondering if there was a quick, easy, cheap way to get "perfect" parameters. In my 18mos with this hobby, I kinda already knew the answer LOL

 

[cjpitt80]

I agree that 8.1 to 7.9 for pH is fine, and actually good for a house with the windows shut. Using sodium hydroxide as an alkalinity supplement is fine. It's equivalent to using Kalk, assuming you add any calcium that's needed as calcium chloride. I'd probably just try a bit of Kalk in the topoff, and work from there.

I'll do nothing for now. With Triton, I've kinda for Alk and Calcium I actually no nothing about Kalk or 2 part dosing or limewater stuff.

 

[bertoni]

That makes sense, too.