Ph
- Thread starter d_hartke
- Start date
drummereef
Team RC
??? I guess I don't understand the questions, sorry. You shouldn't be dosing anything that will affect pH directly. You should be, however, dosing to stabilize the pH buffer. Check out these articles.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=102605
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=102605
I am talking about adding PH buffer. Is buffer designed to raise the PH or to bring it to 8.3. That is, it will bring it up or down depending on where the water started at.
The reason I ask this question is because I don't want to add too much buffer and bring my PH too high. So, will adding too much buffer raise my PH too much?
The reason I ask this question is because I don't want to add too much buffer and bring my PH too high. So, will adding too much buffer raise my PH too much?
Billybeau1
Premium Member
You should not use pH buffer to raise pH. It will drive your alkalinity through the roof.
Why are you dropping your salinity ? Are you testing for calcium and alkalinity ?
Why are you dropping your salinity ? Are you testing for calcium and alkalinity ?
Billybeau1
Premium Member
How low is your pH ? More fresh air and limewater are good ways to raise pH.
Most times low pH is caused by excessive CO2 in the home. Give these a read when you get time.
Low pH: Causes and cures
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.htm
And
What your grandmother never told you about lime
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.htm
Most times low pH is caused by excessive CO2 in the home. Give these a read when you get time.
Low pH: Causes and cures
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.htm
And
What your grandmother never told you about lime
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.htm
Billybeau1
Premium Member
Alk ? or Salinity ?
Angela Short
New member
how high is it? I would't do anything till I had a # to go off of.
Billybeau1
Premium Member
d_, you gotta help us out here if you want us to help you.
Why do you want to lower pH ?
Why do you want to lower pH ?
Billybeau1
Premium Member
OK I follow ya. Dont add buffer to the fresh water for now. Just slowly lower your sg and keep an eye on the pH. It will stabilize.
Angela Short
New member
I don't think he knows his PH level 
D- When I recomended hypo and told you about the PH dropping and to keep a eye on it I meant with a test kit. PH kits are pretty cheap. Unless you have added unbelivable amounts I would say you are OK but seriously get a # before we can try to give advice. There is ways of lowering it fast but not till you give #'s
D- When I recomended hypo and told you about the PH dropping and to keep a eye on it I meant with a test kit. PH kits are pretty cheap. Unless you have added unbelivable amounts I would say you are OK but seriously get a # before we can try to give advice. There is ways of lowering it fast but not till you give #'s
Billybeau1
Premium Member
Didnt know you were working with him Angela. Sorry, its always better IMO if one person helps another through the issues. Go get em girl. 
Sorry, its always better IMO if one person helps another through the issues. Go get em girl. Angela Short
New member
I still didn't see a value. I read it like you were blindley doseing is how the post reads 
Anyways, other people feel free to jump in with advice as I am very limited on my time with 3 little ones underfoot most days. Sorry if I come across blunt at times I am ussually stressed to the max and just grabbing a few minutes of computer time so I tend to get short seeming when it reads like someone hasn't done much reaserch is all. BUT This is what this forum is for so I try to help when I have time. Sorry if I came across bad.
Your question depends a lot on what type of buffer you are useing also. They can all be formulated differently. Store bought blended buffer like seachem says on the label it raises the ALK about 1 MG/liter per dose along with PH if I remember right. So your PH can keep drifting downward but your ALK keep going upward if you dose lots of premixed buffer (like seachem) You can get the one that only raises PH I think or read through some of the links above and use a home made recipe that just targets PH.
Since this is a fish only system you do not need to stay right on with PH and ALK like if you had corals but trying to stay in a ballpark is always better for the fish. If your kit doesn't read to high now the buffer is not gonna suddenly "kick in" so to say and give you a big spike overnight. Is that more what you were trying to figure out? Once its mixed well with tank water for a while it is as high as it will be. Unless you have a CO2 issue and your tank needs more oxygen. Adding O2 to the tank will raise PH...
Hope this helps some.
Anyways, other people feel free to jump in with advice as I am very limited on my time with 3 little ones underfoot most days. Sorry if I come across blunt at times I am ussually stressed to the max and just grabbing a few minutes of computer time so I tend to get short seeming when it reads like someone hasn't done much reaserch is all. BUT This is what this forum is for so I try to help when I have time. Sorry if I came across bad.Your question depends a lot on what type of buffer you are useing also. They can all be formulated differently. Store bought blended buffer like seachem says on the label it raises the ALK about 1 MG/liter per dose along with PH if I remember right. So your PH can keep drifting downward but your ALK keep going upward if you dose lots of premixed buffer (like seachem) You can get the one that only raises PH I think or read through some of the links above and use a home made recipe that just targets PH.
Since this is a fish only system you do not need to stay right on with PH and ALK like if you had corals but trying to stay in a ballpark is always better for the fish. If your kit doesn't read to high now the buffer is not gonna suddenly "kick in" so to say and give you a big spike overnight. Is that more what you were trying to figure out? Once its mixed well with tank water for a while it is as high as it will be. Unless you have a CO2 issue and your tank needs more oxygen. Adding O2 to the tank will raise PH...
Hope this helps some.
Similar threads
