H2O D-D salt users

[swissgaurd]

for the past month ive noticed my PH drop below 8.0
i use kalkwasser and a calcium reactor
yesterday i recalibrated my ph meter.
i mixed a fresh batch for 24 hrs and today measured.
i get a reading of 7.87 ph

i know after 24hrs of mixing the saltmix should be 8.2 ph

has anyone checked a freshbatch lately or are they getting a low ph

vic

 

[Frankie]

Are you mixing the whole batch prior to use? D+D salt is very similar to RBS and I had to mix mine by rolling the bag around on the floor for a spell prior to use because of settling from shipping from overseas. D+D comes from England if I am not mistaken.

 

[swissgaurd]

i pour the bucket into another bucket and then back again before use do to the settling issue,ive used other salts and always mix my salt before using

 

[Frankie]

Good deal
I know a lot of people on zeovit.com use this salt with great results.
If all other test results are reading positive I would not concern myself with it. A PH of 7.8 is in the acceptable range imo.

 

[swissgaurd]

why im concerned is i usually have a ph of 8.1 and now the tank only gets 7.9 max.
im not used to that,even in the winter months.
i was thinkin of adding a ph buffer to the fresh batch.
not sure if this is a good idea or not.

vic

 

[swissgaurd]

and yes testing of tank yesterday
parameters were all in check except ph

 

[swissgaurd]

i just checked the ph of my ro/di and its 5.65.
is this low or is this normal
my ro/di tds is 0 ppm

 

[Frankie]

Sorry to take so long. It's been a while and I needed to confirm my knowledge first before responding.
RO/DI water should have a PH in the range of 7.0 So your a bit on the low side and this could be the reason for your recent drop. I it is really bugging you you can try changing out the DI resin. This should bring it back up if I am not mistaken. Personally I would hold out until the TDS readings go up or the PH drops more.
Here is some good reading for you. I just finished reading it. What a mouthful Randy provides! LOL
Reverse Osmosis/Deionization Systems to Purify Tap Water for Reef Aquaria by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com
I am also going to move this thread over to the chemistry forum. Boomer may have some better insight on the subject.

 

[swissgaurd]

thanks frankie
for the link,im gonna try working with the ro/di
i think its the culprit

 

[Frankie]

and yes testing of tank yesterday
parameters were all in check except ph

I was talking about testing the water for water changes. You should test that also prior to use every time you perform a water change.

 

[Frankie]

thanks frankie
for the link,im gonna try working with the ro/di
i think its the culprit

I think so also.

 

[Shamus]

While I would also expect the pH of RO/DI water to be around 7, water doesn't have any buffer and as carbon dioxide gets dissolved in the water, it will decrease in pH. Here's a link that describes it (a bit down the page)

Deionised - Demineralised Water - Lenntech

 

[swissgaurd]

thanks guys
never thought that the ph of plain water would bring my ph down.
i changed my DI and changed my filters even though the filters didnt need it.
i mixed a fresh batch yesterday and the ph is 8.1,
i dumped my top up water and put in fresh water my tank yesterday went imeadiatly to 8.0.

that tells me just because my tds meter says 0 ppm doesnt mean the water is good.

thanks again
vic