PH is off the chart
- Thread starter vietcu
- Start date
vietcu
New member
I don't know if this is the cause to the spike in PH. I came home today to find that my Koralias were running in the wrong direction, probably from power outage. So the top of the water was not moving like it usually would. But pump from sump and flow to sump is working, so is that a problem to my spike in PH? And what should I do now? wait to see what the PH is tomorrow? or is there something I can do to remedy this? Right now adding about 1g of lime water a day, just added a bit of magnesium yesterday to try to get cal/alk up.
Tswifty
New member
sounds like a faulty test... pumps NOT running definitely wouldn't raise your pH.
I would try and confirm the results with another test or meter as suggested above.
How long have you been adding kalk, 1g of limewater would not jump your pH that high. On my 90g w/ 30g sump I have about 1.5 to 2g a day added to my tank without a noticeable increase in pH.
or well unless you dumped it all in at once... then maybe it could jump the pH.
I would try and confirm the results with another test or meter as suggested above.
How long have you been adding kalk, 1g of limewater would not jump your pH that high. On my 90g w/ 30g sump I have about 1.5 to 2g a day added to my tank without a noticeable increase in pH.
or well unless you dumped it all in at once... then maybe it could jump the pH.
vietcu
New member
Sorry for not answering your question "speeddemonlsr". I used the red sea test the first time around. Just tested with another test "aquarium pharmaceutical inc", and that came back over 8.8.
Tswifty8, I have been adding kalk for the past 2+ weeks. Doing the drip method throughout the day. Today though I don't know how the power was out for but came back and water level that I use to make sure that its at the right level of evaporation and the drip, it was way over the line. Meaning there was not that much water evaporation today.
But again both test kit showing my PH is off the chart. I will test again tomorrow, and won't have the limewater going to see if the PH drops.
Tswifty8, I have been adding kalk for the past 2+ weeks. Doing the drip method throughout the day. Today though I don't know how the power was out for but came back and water level that I use to make sure that its at the right level of evaporation and the drip, it was way over the line. Meaning there was not that much water evaporation today.
But again both test kit showing my PH is off the chart. I will test again tomorrow, and won't have the limewater going to see if the PH drops.
AD87
Active member
I would still stop adding any solution that will raise your ph.... Do you know what your Calcium levels are at??? If you add Calcium Carbonate that will lower your levels nice and slow also if you add vinegar(White Distilled) (I have never done this so maybe do some research first).
serpentman
part time superhero
First, I would stop dosing everything until your parameters come back in line, and they will. Its very hard for a tank to maintain pH at that level for long on its own as eventually your alk and calcium will come into balance. Second, I find liquid pH tests to be highly unreliable as they are very subjective. I would seriously consider an electronic pH meter or at least borrowing one.
Finally, as Erik said, nothing fast is good in this hobby so don't do anything drastic. You could start doing some partial water changes. Otherwise, it will come down on its own gradually.
Finally, as Erik said, nothing fast is good in this hobby so don't do anything drastic. You could start doing some partial water changes. Otherwise, it will come down on its own gradually.
brad
Active member
8.6 is not off the chart, I would actually rather see 8.6 than 7.9, and you probably aren't 100% certain of your meter anyway. Above 8.4, calcium precipitates rapidly, and I don't think there is any harm to livestock from high pH below 9 (assuming it is from adding kalk). Don't do anything and you will be back in range pretty soon.
vietcu
New member
I meant off the chart is because the red sea test's chart only goes up to 8.6. The other test that I had only maxed out at 8.8, so I was assuming that it would be higher than that. But anyways tested today and its down to around 8.2-8.4. I have stopped adding anything to the tank.
To answer speeddemon, my alk and calcium is way low. I have been doing the 2 part b-ionic and also limewater to try to get it up. Went to the Lfs to have them check my parameters, and they suggested that I add some magnesium since its been a while and my cal/alk hasn't been going up. I would dose the 2 part every couple of days, while doing lime water everyday. The only thing I remember from the Lfs was that my magnesium was at 1000. Been battling this problem for the past couple of months as my sps are slowly receding or just dying period. Going to go back to the Lfs this weekend to have them check my parameters again. Only going to add another dose of 2 part and magnesium this Friday and thats it.
To answer speeddemon, my alk and calcium is way low. I have been doing the 2 part b-ionic and also limewater to try to get it up. Went to the Lfs to have them check my parameters, and they suggested that I add some magnesium since its been a while and my cal/alk hasn't been going up. I would dose the 2 part every couple of days, while doing lime water everyday. The only thing I remember from the Lfs was that my magnesium was at 1000. Been battling this problem for the past couple of months as my sps are slowly receding or just dying period. Going to go back to the Lfs this weekend to have them check my parameters again. Only going to add another dose of 2 part and magnesium this Friday and thats it.
