Someone help I can't get my PH up

[russ49merc]

My ph with the lights on on my tank is like 7.9. when I first started my tank the ph was perfect with no messing with it but now it has dropped and has stayed down. Is there a way to keep and raise the ph to 8.2 or 8.4 ?

 

[JenDub]

Drip kalk

 

[bennyinca]

Check your alkalinity levels, if it is too low, pH will decrease too.
Buffer the KH as needed if that is the case.

 

[Kenfuzed]

Dripping kalk is the best way to bring it up, but do so slowly. If your pH is still depressed after a water change you should make sure your pH probe is clean. Along with my Orp probe I give my pH probe a dip in white vinegar for a few minutes every week. This removes any buildup or residue that may throw off the reading. I also make sure the probe is calibrated every 6 months or so by testing it in some calibration fluid. If you don't have this fluid and are using a small portable or pen-style tester you could always take it to a LFS and compare readings there.

 

[Wilafur]

open your window.

 

[russ49merc]

open my window?

 

[Wilafur]

excess co2 in your home will depress the ph.

 

[russ49merc]

aaaaahhhh I see

 

[818]

I add some of this supperbuffer never can will do it another way...I just add some more everytime I do a water change...

you can buy this anywhere really

Sam

 

[golfish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7132456#post7132456 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Wilafur
open your window.

I'll second that.....

 

[Kenfuzed]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7132696#post7132696 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by My F1sh R D34D!
I add some of this supperbuffer never can will do it another way...I just add some more everytime I do a water change...

you can buy this anywhere really

Sam

If buffering is the problem then you can save yourself some cash and make the same stuff yourself. Here's the recipe I use for buffering my top-off water before adding to my tank:
1 gallon RO/DI water
1 box of A&H baking soda
2 Tablespoons of A&H Washing Soda

I mix all ingredients and store in an air tight container (i.e. water jug). I then add 1/8 cup of this concentrated buffer solution to every 1 gallon of new RO/DI top-off water. If you can't add it to your top-off then mix with a jug of tank water before adding to your tank. The concentrate will precipitate if not added to a high flow area.

This keeps my tank's pH in range despite driving my Ca reactor wide open with heavy CO2 usage. Using this mix in my RO water before mixing new SW also helps buffering. Just be sure not to overdo it or you could throw your alk and Ca balance out of wack.

 

[phatphisher]

all else fails, try viagra. i heard it'll get it up no matter what.

 

[zimmy1979]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7134933#post7134933 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by phatphisher
all else fails, try viagra. i heard it'll get it up no matter what.

Second that! worked for me. Oh wait..what are we talking about?

 

[bergzy]

seachem's reef buffer and marine buffer is an awesome product which you dont have to futz around with. any kind of purchasing of different stuff and figuring the need to mix one part with two part this and that makes my head spin...i have enough to think about in my life...

as for the viagra joke...

heard this on the tonite show 'how do you say hulk hogan in spanish? rafael palmeiro'!!!

please no flames...it's a joke...a joke guys!

 

[laverda]

First you need to check your ALK, but it is almost guaranteed to be low. If you calcium is also low then dose with kalhwasher/pickiling lime.
If the calcium level is high the use baking soda (PH8.0) or
Washing Soda/baked baking soda(PH12.0) If using these I would start with about half a tea spoon a day.
good luck!