PH and Alkalinity off

[sra_chipmunk]

Well when I first started off, I had the alk and PH good. Then my PH started to drop. It was at 8.2 then 8.0. I opened up all the windows in the house, did a 5 gallon water change (I have a 75 gallon tank with a 30 gallon sump/fuge) and I just checked my PH and its at about 8.1 - 8.2.

My alkalinity has been high though. it was hanging around 11.5 did the water change as mentioned above and I just tested my alk and its at about 11.8 now.

Oh, it was about a week ago when I did the water change as well so its not like I did the water change, then did the tests. I am gettinf frushtrated on this.

 

[Capt_Cully]

Ca?
Mg?

 

[sra_chipmunk]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13241054#post13241054 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Capt_Cully
Ca?
Mg?

Cal= 390
Mag= 1390

 

[Capt_Cully]

Are you running a Ca reactor? Dripping Kalk? Dosing Ca (B-Ionic? 2-part solution? other?)

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

How are you measuring pH? If it is really low, the most likely cause is excess CO2 in your home air, and that coupled with low demand for alkalinity makes it a bit harder to solve the problem with additives like limewater (normally the best second choice to more fresh air). Don't try using buffers.

I'd try the aeration tests in this article to diagnose the source of the CO2:


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

 

[sra_chipmunk]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13241149#post13241149 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Capt_Cully
Are you running a Ca reactor? Dripping Kalk? Dosing Ca (B-Ionic? 2-part solution? other?)

I was adding Kaslwasser to my RO top off res. I think I made a mistake though. I was dosing kalkwaser in my top off res and I have a powerhead in there 24/7 mixing and it was constantly clowdy. I didnt think anything of it but I guess your supposed to let the clowdyness settle. Opps. Could this be my cause for high Alk and low PH?

 

[sra_chipmunk]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13241172#post13241172 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Randy Holmes-Farley
How are you measuring pH? If it is really low, the most likely cause is excess CO2 in your home air, and that coupled with low demand for alkalinity makes it a bit harder to solve the problem with additives like limewater (normally the best second choice to more fresh air). Don't try using buffers.

I'd try the aeration tests in this article to diagnose the source of the CO2:

I aired out my house so the CO2 should be down.

 

[alpha0r]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13241459#post13241459 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sra_chipmunk
I was adding Kaslwasser to my RO top off res. I think I made a mistake though. I was dosing kalkwaser in my top off res and I have a powerhead in there 24/7 mixing and it was constantly clowdy. I didnt think anything of it but I guess your supposed to let the clowdyness settle. Opps. Could this be my cause for high Alk and low PH?

This could cause high ALK but not low PH. Dosing cloudy Kalk would raise your PH a lot. I suspect you don't have much demand for ALK and your salt mix has high ALK. Instant Ocean and Reef Crystals have ALK around 11-12 dkh (from personal testing).

I personally don't see much of a problem with your PH and ALK they are both within acceptable ranges.

 

[sra_chipmunk]

Thanks. I didnt think of the Salt mix making the Alk high.

 

[flipcyd]

I agree, it might be your salt mix. There's only 1 thing I found that lowers alk, tropic marin alca balance, it also raises your calcium.

http://www.aquacave.com/alca-balance-400grbr-by-tropic-marin-1985.html

 

[stingythingy45]

JMO.....but I wouldn't keep chasing PH around.8.1-8.2 is fine for PH.So many new hobbyest chase their tails with PH.
Just make sure your Alk is in the ballpark and leave it at that.
If you are concerned about high Alk you can bump your Calcium up to like 450 ppm.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I too would not worry about pH that is in the range of pH 8.0 to 8.5.