Adjusting PH

[Yarr]

I was just wondering how everyone adjusts their PH. i am not talkign about dripping for buffer adn whatnot. but when your params are out and need to be changed. how do you go about it and what do you use ?

[das]

G'day all,
We are currently having the same issue, we did a calcium test and found that this is down to 320ppm when it should be 420ppm. We have just finished a first dose of calcium and found it has now risen to 360ppm, so we are now on our 2nd dose and hopefully with continual weekly top ups this will help.We use Reef success by Red sea.

[Yarr]

was more a question abotu PH instead of calcium. but same principle

[das]

I have read that the pH is low due to other parameters, one being Calcium, by adding a buffer to fix the pH you are covering up another problem.

[Yarr]

true. they are all linked, dont worry about me. im sick.. and tired

[Woodstock]

That would depend on the other parameters Yarr. Adjusting the PH can be done in basically 4 ways... 2 of which will have a direct impact on your alk and consequently, your ca too. I will breifly describe the 4 ways below...

1. Increasing surface aggitation; by adding or adjusting power heads so they create turbulence at the water's surface will do two things - allow for the water to absorb oxygen and allow co2 to blow out. co2 lowers PH so blowing it out of the water will increase the PH of the water.
2. Decreasing co2 in the room the tank is in; yep, high co2 is sometimes an issue indoors. Open a few windows and let the room air-out for a few days then recheck the PH of the tank's water.
3. Adding a alkalinity buffer; There are two types- sodium Bicarbonate and a sodium carbonate. IF your alk is low, you can use one of these; both have an affect on PH ----- Sodium BIcarbonates: this is an alkalinity booster that will decrease PH since it has a high amount of co2 in it but will raise the alk. This will have an affect on calcium (lowers it a tad) so be sure to test both to see the effects. Arm & Hammer baking soda is a sodium bicarbonate; most LFS buffers are also sodium bicarbonates. Adding a sodium carbonate: this is an alkalinity booster that will Increase PH and will raise the alk. This will have an affect on calcium (lowers it a tad) so be sure to test both to see the effects. Arm & Hammer baking soda is INITIALLY a sodium bicarbonate but, you can easily bake it in an oven for an hour at 200 def F which will turn it into a sodium carbonate. The baking blows out the co2. MAKE ADJUSTMENTS SLOWLY AND BE SURE TO TEST PH, ALK, AND CA AFTER ADDING.
4. Kalkwasser (calcium hydroxide); If both your PH and ca are low, using kalkwasser works great. Again, be sure to test PH, Alk, and Ca after adding. I use kalkwasser for all evaporated top offs in my reef (1 tsp per gal of ro/di water).

HTH

[blue_eyes53813]

Woodstock.. I just noticed the other day that my Alk is low ( I think ) 2-2.5. Can you remember how much baked baking soda to add for my 265 gallon. I wanna raise it a little. My clam and corals like xenia seem to be stressing alittle. it use to be around 4.

I believe my readings were... calcium 400 alk 2-2.5 and ph 8.1.... Would you mess with it or leave it alone..?

[Woodstock]

I would raise the alk and I would use a sodium carbonate to do it so you will get a PH raise too. I would set a goal of 3.5 meg/l alk.

• Dissolve/stir 1 heaping tsp of BAKED baking soda in a glass of tank water and very slowly pour it into a high flow area in your sump; test the ph, alk & cal, then repeat if needed. I am guessing it will take 3 tsp to increase your alk by 0.3 meg/l. Make these adjustments slowly~

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

[Woodstock]

Also note that alk is used up quickly in a reef tank so don't be surprised if you need to make adjustments weekly.... I have to.