pH low... how to adjust?

[BigRedSpecial]

I'm nearly done cycling my nano, but I'm not content with the pH. using RO/Di and Reef Crystals(which I only use because lfs sells 50g bags for the same price as the 25g box of IO.. explain that!?!), my pH is 8.0(measured with both tetra and hagen tests). What can I do to bring it up, naturally, and keep it there?

I tried seachem buffer; it brought it up to 8.3, but also lowered my calcium levels, and even though no water has been changed, the pH has since shifted back to 7.9, while the ca remains low.

alk was origionally 9.5; buffer peaked it at 11. tank has 10lbs aragonite and 8lbs LR. SG is 1.025.

parameters, as of last night, are:
SG1.025 pH 8.0 alk9.5dKH Ca 360ppm
NH3/NH4+ 0ppm NO2 0.3ppm NO3 50ppm.

There is no livestock in the tank yet, save pods and bristleworms. I have no air conditioning(if I did, it wouldn't be on now... the temp outside is currently -12C), and windows are opened regularly.

One idea that has been bouncing around in my head, is placing crushed coral in my water bottle - while the tank pH is too high to effectively dissolve aragonite or crushed coral, my RO water has a pH of 6.0... so, in theory at least, adding a pound or two to the bottle(5gal) should raise it a bit.

 

[boxfishpooalot]

ph is mostly dependent on the Co2 in the air. The more you breath with the windows in the house closed, the lower the ph will get. Opening a window will raise the ph.

The buffer is for alkalinity and not ph. Use it to raise alkalinity.

 

[samherston]

You can use a two part system that will boost both for you. Id invest in a ph moniter.. they are much more accurate!

 

[BigRedSpecial]

I'm actually considering a 2 part system, or Ca and Alk powder dosing.

Believe me, I'd love to have a pH monitor. Unfortunately, it's far beyond my budget(AKA my girlfriend's imposed budget). A refractometer is on the top of my 'to get' list.

 

[drummereef]

Randy's 2-part works great for maintaining your alk and calcium levels. The pH is depressed from high co2 levels like boxfish said. Open some windows and let some fresh air in. Watch the pH rise.

 

[markandkristen]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9435974#post9435974 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by drummereef
Randy's 2-part works great for maintaining your alk and calcium levels. The pH is depressed from high co2 levels like boxfish said. Open some windows and let some fresh air in. Watch the pH rise.

worked for me!!!!

its amazing when i watch my ph monitor it rises with the windows open.

how big is your place?

we are in a small apartment ....

i did the buffer thing i understand that kalkwiser does eat c02 to a degree..

 

[BigRedSpecial]

Ok I found the problem; it was lack of surface agitation. Repositioning the powerhead drove it up.

However, now I have the opposite problem - it's too high!

Right now, it is at 8.6. The puzzling part is, my alk has actually gone down, from 9.5dKH to 8.5. I'm no expert, but I do have an intermediate understanding of chemistry(a couple college level courses), and this has me puzzled. According to a chart I found here, even with outdoor CO2 levels, a pH of 8.6 would require an alk of over 14, assuming no strong bases have been added. At 8.5 dKH, my pH should be at 8.3 or lower, correct?

Nothing has been added to the water since my last reading(at least not intentionally).

The only possibility I could see, is that something was on my arms to drive it up... residual soap perhaps?

Forgive me for not being able to find this on my own, but I'm new here and I'm finding new posts and articles on here all the time. If anyone can point me towards some stickies or extternal links, it would be much appreciated.

 

[Icefire]

Let it be, Ph between 7.8-8.3 is fine.

Keep your alk in check and your surface agitation and ph will be nice.

 

[BigRedSpecial]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9469518#post9469518 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Icefire
Let it be, Ph between 7.8-8.3 is fine.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9468954#post9468954 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BigRedSpecial
Right now, it is at 8.6.

Anyone else have an idea?

 

[Shagsbeard]

A fan across the top? Better gas exchange is what you want. If you have a glass top, replace it with an eggcrate top.

 

[BigRedSpecial]

I appreciate everyone trying to help me, but you need to read my last post... the problem is now that the pH is too high.

 

[old salty]

I wouldn't worry too much. Your test kit is probably not 100% accurate.

 

[BigRedSpecial]

I know, and normally I would just dismiss it as faulty readings, but two different tests(tetra and Hagen) are showing the same.

 

[drummereef]

Colormetric testkits for pH are known to be innacurate. I would take some of your tank water to your LFS and have them test it with a digital meter. Probably not as bad as you think.

 

[BigRedSpecial]

I wish I could do that... all the LFS's around me use the same tests