If I set my Calc. Reactor at 7.4 PH. How do I keep the PH in my tank above 8.1. The calc. reactor puts alkalinity into your tank. If I use a PH buffer, then the alkalinity will spike. How do I control this. This is a 120 heavily stocked reef and as ussual, I need alittle advice.
PH Help.
- Thread starter Zeus2
- Start date
crvz
Team RC
why do you want to keep pH above 8.1? As long as it's in the 7.8-8.4 range, there's nothing to really bother about.
But, in order to raise the pH, you've got three options. some sort of pH buffer (though as you point out, this will greatly affect the alkalinity), kalk dosing (which also has an affect on alk/calc, just not near as much), or finding a way to draw outside air into the tank (usually through the skimmer venturi line). Option three is the one that doesnt require chemicals, and helps blow off any residual CO2 in the tank, but it's logistically challenging.
But, in order to raise the pH, you've got three options. some sort of pH buffer (though as you point out, this will greatly affect the alkalinity), kalk dosing (which also has an affect on alk/calc, just not near as much), or finding a way to draw outside air into the tank (usually through the skimmer venturi line). Option three is the one that doesnt require chemicals, and helps blow off any residual CO2 in the tank, but it's logistically challenging.
I just put in a calc reactor last week. The PH monitor says 8.3. This is because I had the probe inside my sump. (Which means the Calc. reactor was at this as well) I was hoping that it would break down enough calcium for my tank at this PH, but it does nothing but drop on me. As of today, I built a container for the effluent return. I then placed the PH probe inside this so that it is only reading the PH of the calc reactor. I then set the monitor to 7.4 and dropped the PH IN THE Calc. reactor. My fear is that the effluent coming from the calc. reactor is now 7.4 and will steadily drop the PH in my tank to levels I do not want. How do I keep a steady PH in my tank if this occurs.
I recently had a mishap with my tank, just prior to the reactor. My coral was not doing well at all. I even lost a few pieces. I kept testing my par. and everything was checking out. Then I put in the PH monitor and realized how stupid of a mistake I was missing. The PH was at 7.1. Since then, I have brought my tank back to 8.3, and everything seems to be returning to normal. I'm afraid to find that breaking point again. This is why I would like to stay on the upper side of that scale.
crvz
Team RC
First, I would be very surprised if your tank was ever at a pH of 7.1. How did you get it up to 8.3, and how confident are you in the probe you're measuring with?
As long as you have good aeration in the tank (good air flow in that part of the house and a sump usually means it's fine), then adding an air stone won't help much. Also, pH is not going to be consistent, it has a diurnal swing often in tandem with your photoperiod, so expecting to hold it at one point is ludicrous. Yes, the calc reactor may deplete tank pH a bit, but it will not drive down to 7.4 without some sort of failure in the system (either hardware failure or poor reactor setup). If you're really worried about it, though, I'd get another pH probe and measure both tank and reactor pH at all times.
As long as you have good aeration in the tank (good air flow in that part of the house and a sump usually means it's fine), then adding an air stone won't help much. Also, pH is not going to be consistent, it has a diurnal swing often in tandem with your photoperiod, so expecting to hold it at one point is ludicrous. Yes, the calc reactor may deplete tank pH a bit, but it will not drive down to 7.4 without some sort of failure in the system (either hardware failure or poor reactor setup). If you're really worried about it, though, I'd get another pH probe and measure both tank and reactor pH at all times.
More aeration with fresh air and using limewtaer are the best ways to boost pH if you want to do so.
This article has more on low pH issues and how to solve them:
Low pH: Causes and Cures
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.htm
This article has more on low pH issues and how to solve them:
Low pH: Causes and Cures
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.htm
