What are you using to measure pH?
What should i do about these numbers
- Thread starter hndakd
- Start date
I've not used it, but pH test kits go by shade of color, not intensity of color, so I would not think it would matter that much how you view it. So until someone comes along with the exact directions, try to look at the color itself, not the darkness of it. 
In general, I think that even cheap pH meters are much better than typical pH test kits.
In general, I think that even cheap pH meters are much better than typical pH test kits.
No problem on the questions. I think pH 8.8 is highly unlikely, and I would not worry too much, but I do not know exactly how that kit is intended to be read.
Anyone use it?
Anyone use it?
kinda see what i mean though? I know the question is kinda dumb but I just want to make sure I can read it right. Im going to do another test today and see what everything is at.
When do I change my mix? If I wait until everything is correct like alk and calcium, then adjust how much do I adjust it by? How much less lime do i do?
When do I change my mix? If I wait until everything is correct like alk and calcium, then adjust how much do I adjust it by? How much less lime do i do?
Yes I understand the c concern. The picture is a bit blurry, but there is not a lot of color difference between the various pH values.
I'd consider a cheap ph meter, if I were you.
If the alkalinity is steady where you want it, I would maintain the amount of limewater you are dosing now.
I'm not sure I understand the questions above. If alkalinity and calcium are OK, there is no need to change anything.
I'd consider a cheap ph meter, if I were you.
If the alkalinity is steady where you want it, I would maintain the amount of limewater you are dosing now.
I'm not sure I understand the questions above. If alkalinity and calcium are OK, there is no need to change anything.
What i mean is once the levels reach acceptable levels do i continue to use the same recipe for lime water or reduce it until levels fall again and then bump it back up to keep them there? For instance I used 10 teaspoons on this mix the calcium and alk have gone up. If I test today and the numbers are good, then test tomorrow and the numbers go up again, I need to lower how much lime im mixing in.
I know the pic is blurry but you can see why i would think my ph is 8.8 what is a good cheap brand of ph meter?
I know the pic is blurry but you can see why i would think my ph is 8.8 what is a good cheap brand of ph meter?
Yes, keep it the same and monitor it. if the levels stay where they are, you're all set. Use only alkalinity as the dosing guide, as it responds much faster to over or under dosing than does calcium. If alk gets too high, back off on the daily dosing. It turns out the exact dose is not that critical, as there is a negative feedback loop that causes higher alkalinity and pH to raise the demand in the tank. That makes it easier to get to an appropriate dose.
Milwaukee makes a fine line of pH meters that are not too expensive, but any meter with 2 point calibration is better than a pH kit.
Milwaukee makes a fine line of pH meters that are not too expensive, but any meter with 2 point calibration is better than a pH kit.
You can probably test less than daily if you want, but that is a fine plan.
Billybeau1
Premium Member
You are not suppose to look down the tube on API's pH kit. You place the test vial on the white side of the color chart next to the colors. Do not press the tube against the chart. Try and use natural light behind your shoulder.
thats what had been doing. It just seemed very strange for the ph to read 8.8 thanks for the clarification.
Im scheduled to do a water change today should I hold off on that until everything settles out?
new tests for today
alk 8
calcium 500
I made a new mix of kalk yesterday the same way i did before, hopefully everything stays good.
Things that i have noticed with the tank
new bacterial looking mats/growth on certain rocks?? clear/green stringy and bubbly
skimmer seeming to work again finally!!!!
less algae growth on the glass, the stuff that is there just blows off no scrape needed
clearer water dont know if this is from the kalk
more coraline growth (probably in my head)
Im scheduled to do a water change today should I hold off on that until everything settles out?
new tests for today
alk 8
calcium 500
I made a new mix of kalk yesterday the same way i did before, hopefully everything stays good.
Things that i have noticed with the tank
new bacterial looking mats/growth on certain rocks?? clear/green stringy and bubbly
skimmer seeming to work again finally!!!!
less algae growth on the glass, the stuff that is there just blows off no scrape needed
clearer water dont know if this is from the kalk
more coraline growth (probably in my head)
I don't think the pH is likely to be 8.8. 
You are not using any carbon source additions? Vinegar? Vodka? etc? Those can give the bacterial mats in some cases.
You are not using any carbon source additions? Vinegar? Vodka? etc? Those can give the bacterial mats in some cases.
nope only adding kalk. My skimmer has been acting weird... starting and stopping I purchased a new one but it hasnt gotten here yet(cant wait) i cleaned it all out today and it seems to be doing significantly better. Maybe that was where the mats came from 
Im going to wait another week before a water change. testing again in 2 days
Im going to wait another week before a water change. testing again in 2 days
Billybeau1
Premium Member
Well, overdosing kalk is one of the only ways that your pH could be high.
I actually have found API's pH kit to be pretty accurate so you may be overdosing kalkwasser.
I would stop the kalk for a few days and see if the pH drops. CO<sub>2</sub> will surely lower your result.
I actually have found API's pH kit to be pretty accurate so you may be overdosing kalkwasser.
I would stop the kalk for a few days and see if the pH drops. CO<sub>2</sub> will surely lower your result.
retested the PH is this morning, didnt have time to do alk and calcium so im going to do them later. The ph was 8.8 or higher. I changed back to RODI. i also made the skimmer air tube longer and put the inlet outside of my stand.
Why does the ph go so high and not affect the other numbers to much? last time I tested I had alk at 8 and calcium at 500
Why does the ph go so high and not affect the other numbers to much? last time I tested I had alk at 8 and calcium at 500
Why does the ph go so high and not affect the other numbers to much?
I expect the pH measurement is in error, as I said. I would not worry about it for now.
Try aerating a cup of the water and see if it goes down.
I expect the pH measurement is in error, as I said. I would not worry about it for now.
Try aerating a cup of the water and see if it goes down.
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