PH Problem...please help...I've tried it all

[kj5432]

I use 2 part to keep my calcium and alkalinity in check. I keep my calcium at approximately 420 and my alkalinity in the 10-11 range. However, I can not keep my ph steady above 8. I hate to keep adding ph buffer because I do not want my alkalinity in to a dangerous zone. How high is too high for alkalinity in an SPS reef tank? and how can I keep my ph steady around 8.2? By the way, I do not have a refugium and will not be adding one.

 

[Jeffie]

Using limewater is a good way to raise your PH. Be careful though- You don't want to raise it too quickly.
Also, once you hit your desired PH drip kalk with your top off to help keep it steady...

 

[carpus]

baking soda is a good way to raise your pH
vinegar is a good way to lower your pH

TEMPORARILY tho, prolonged use is probably not good

alk zone 7-8.2

in another thread someone said after alk goes passed 9.6, he saw recession

 

[PUGroyale]

I agree with Jeffie. Ditch the two part which is a pain to keep balanced and more expensive to boot. Drip Kalkwasser, it'll raise your pH where you want it as well as keep your Ca/Alk in perfect balance

 

[drock59]

how about airating(sp) your water? Have you tried that? Take a cup of tank water outside and take the pH. Put an air stone in the water and run it outside for a couple of hours. If it raises your pH significantly, then all you need to do is get some fresh air into your tank. Seems kind of weird to not be able to keep your pH up, especially if you do not run a calc reactor.

 

[icliao]

I am having 2 skimmers, 2 Iwaki MD70 main pump (6000 lite/hr each) and 3 tunze (2X12000 liter 1X20,000 liter per hour flow) and still get around 8.05 PH.
By the way, I also use a auto to-up with a Kalkwasser reactor.

I test with following method:

1. Take 1 liter tank water and measure the PH at high point.
2. Use an airstone to aeriate the water for one night
3. Measure again the PH of the 1 liter aeriated water
4. Compare the PH

I found the PH did not change significantly.
The aeriated water has same PH as taken in my tank.
This means there is no significant CO2 build up and not to worry about PH problem. The PH meter may show inaccurate reading.

 

[Amphiprion]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7711879#post7711879 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by icliao
I am having 2 skimmers, 2 Iwaki MD70 main pump (6000 lite/hr each) and 3 tunze (2X12000 liter 1X20,000 liter per hour flow) and still get around 8.05 PH.
By the way, I also use a auto to-up with a Kalkwasser reactor.

I test with following method:

1. Take 1 liter tank water and measure the PH at high point.
2. Use an airstone to aeriate the water for one night
3. Measure again the PH of the 1 liter aeriated water
4. Compare the PH

I found the PH did not change significantly.
The aeriated water has same PH as taken in my tank.
This means there is no significant CO2 build up and not to worry about PH problem. The PH meter may show inaccurate reading.

That may not mean there isn't much CO2, but rather, the possibility that your tank has reached an equilibrium with the air in your house. This may not be the case if your house is very well ventilated, though. Just a thought.

 

[icliao]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7712133#post7712133 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Amphiprion
That may not mean there isn't much CO2, but rather, the possibility that your tank has reached an equilibrium with the air in your house. This may not be the case if your house is very well ventilated, though. Just a thought.

Thanks for your input.
My house is very well ventilated and could be "windy" sometimes.
If the tank has reached an equilibrium, they the aerirated water should have higher PH (I do it in the balcony.)

 

[Amphiprion]

Ok, that eliminates one potential problem. Oh, nice tank, BTW, icliao

 

[marcrothschild]

With your Ca and KH readings, I would not worry about the pH as long as its 7.9 or higher. Keeping your KH between 7 and 9 will probably be better for your corals, and it will definately be better for your pumps.

 

[LFS_worker]

Im going to say that you have a testing error your probe may be bad or kits are expired. there is no other reason for the PH to be that low.

If you are making your own 2 part then make sure that you are baking the baking soda for a long enough time should be about 2 hrs on a nice flat baking sheet. test your newly mixed salt water also.

If none of that works test your magnesium ...

Best of luck
Brian

 

[LFS_worker]

"low ph with a DkH over 7 is ALWAYS caused by excessive CO2" - Randy Holmes Farley

There you have it

check your test kits