Need help with PH

[rjd0521]

Hi,

I need help with PH issues.

My PH is at 7.8 right now. Have not tested for ALK.

I used to dose vodka and now am using a Sulfur Denitrator.

I have heard that Denitrator would lower and deplete ALK, but does lowering ALK means that the PH would be lowered as well?

I just bought a bottle of seachem Reef Buffer. Would that fix the issue or do I need something else?

 

[disc1]

The reef buffer is an alkalinity supplement. You really need to measure that alk. Without that number there's not a lot you can safely do.

Low pH is caused by excess CO2 being dissolved in your water. If alkalinity is right, then the answer is fresh air to help lower the CO2. If the alkalinity is low then it takes much less CO2 for the same pH change and you may be fighting a losing battle.

Test the alk and get back to us.

 

[rjd0521]

Made a mistake, I did not get the seachem reef buffer. I got the marine buffer. I will get a ALK test tonight and will post the results thereafter.

 

[bertoni]

I would avoid using the Marine Buffer. It was designed for fish-only systems, and has a lot of borate. The borate shows up as alkalinity, but can't be consumed by corals, so it makes alkalinity tests a lot more uncertain. It's unlikely to solve the pH problem, which likely is caused by carbon dioxide, as stated.

 

[rjd0521]

Got the API KH test kit and tested at 15 DKH.

Also tested the PH again and it is now at 8.0 PH.

Is it too high? If it is, how to lower it. Is that the reason for the PH?

I want to have everything perfect before jumping into SPS.

 

[hollister]

You need to test in the morning for best reading as it may change from tank activity through out the day. Also in a new system it may be off but as tank matures this reading should level out.

 

[rjd0521]

Tank's been running for over a year.

 

[bertoni]

The alkalinity is a bit high. The usual recommended range is 7-11 dKH. The pH buffers have pushed it up this high. I would stop dosing and let the level fall. The low pH is caused by a high level of carbon dioxide in the indoor air, assuming the measurement is accurate. 7.8 is fine for an SPS tank, and I personally wouldn't worry much. You could try getting fresher air to the tank or perhaps using limewater as ATO if you want to try to improve the pH.

 

[downbeach]

Are you running a skimmer? Just wondering why you had to go to a denitrator. If you don't have a skimmer I would get one, since it would go a long way to aid in gas exchange and improve your pH issue. If you do, make sure it's of an appropriate size and in good working order. As mentioned, pH in this case, is usually due to excess CO2 in the atmosphere, so opening some windows will help. Here's a good article on the subject:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.php
Your Alk is too high, so as Jonathan mentioned, stop using the buffer. You could do some water changes to help get it down a bit, again 7 - 11dKH is a good range.
If you intend to go into "stoney" corals, I would suggest you get a decent set of test kits for Ca, Mg and Alk, i.e. Saliftert, Elos, Red Sea Pro, etc. If you don't already have one I'd also suggest a good refractometer for salinity, and calibration fluid for it.
Once you have your parameters, i.e. Ca, Alk within normal range, the use of kalkwasser(I like Mrs. Wages Pickling Lime here), which is a good balanced supplement of Ca and Alk, will help to maintain them, and help to keep your pH in line.

 

[rjd0521]

I am running a skimmer that is rated 2x my tank.

I was thinking going Kalk but don't really know how to run it. You need a ATO right?

 

[downbeach]

I am running a skimmer that is rated 2x my tank.

I was thinking going Kalk but don't really know how to run it. You need a ATO right?

There are a couple of different method's of adding kalk, but I just add it manually when I do my daily top off. I use about 2 gal. a day, so I have a 2 gal. plastic jug with a lid, and add 4 tsp. of Mrs. Wages to the two gallons or RO/DI water, screw on the lid, shake it up a little, and use it the next day. This will add both Ca and Alk to your system, so you might want to get your Alk down a bit first.

Here's a good article about it:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.php

 

[rjd0521]

Great Article.

Do you put it in the tank all at once or do you dose it slowly?

I am at about 1 gallon top off per day. How many tsp of Mrs Wages would you recommend? I have a 185 gallon.

 

[disc1]

I am at about 1 gallon top off per day. How many tsp of Mrs Wages would you recommend? I have a 185 gallon.

With your alkalinity as high as it is, none. You don't need to add anything that is going to raise alkalinity until you get that down. That should be your main focus. Your pH is in line. Your alkalinity is a much bigger problem.

 

[downbeach]

Great Article.

Do you put it in the tank all at once or do you dose it slowly?

I am at about 1 gallon top off per day. How many tsp of Mrs Wages would you recommend? I have a 185 gallon.

I have a 180, so your evaporation is about half of mine.
It's not a good practice, but I add it all at once, I've been doing it this way for years without any problems. There will be a small amount of milky looking fluid in the bottom, that I keep from going into the sump, but if your use Mrs. Wages, there's very little.
I use 1 heaping tsp. (I'm estimating that at two measured tsp.) per gallon. There are other forms of delivery including an ATO, which I do use whenever I'm away, in which case I fill my reservoirs (2 x 5 gal. buckets) with the clear settled kalk, and cover it as tightly as I can with the lids. Or if you have room, you could do a simple sealed container with a drip hose(I think Kent makes one)

 

[rjd0521]

I have a 180, so your evaporation is about half of mine.
It's not a good practice, but I add it all at once, I've been doing it this way for years without any problems. There will be a small amount of milky looking fluid in the bottom, that I keep from going into the sump, but if your use Mrs. Wages, there's very little.
I use 1 heaping tsp. (I'm estimating that at two measured tsp.) per gallon. There are other forms of delivery including an ATO, which I do use whenever I'm away, in which case I fill my reservoirs (2 x 5 gal. buckets) with the clear settled kalk, and cover it as tightly as I can with the lids. Or if you have room, you could do a simple sealed container with a drip hose(I think Kent makes one)

Awesome. I will get the ALK down with water changes and will use your method for KALK. I looked at the Mrs Wages and it is really inexpensive (which make reefing so much easier). What other recommendations do you have for SPS keeping?