Another PH question

Scouter Steve · 08-03-2007, 12:40 PM

I have been having a problem with low PH for a few weeks now. Readins go as low as 7.7 and only as high as 8.1 (am to pm but not that much swing in one day). My alk is good at 9.3 dkh Ca at 430 and Mg 1350. I have my skimmer pulling in outside air and that hasn't seemed to make a difference. I do have some die off of my corraline but all else seems OK. This is a 300+ gal system with basement sump and lots of surface turbulance in tank and sump. I did just do a major pruning in my refugium which seemed to take the Ph down to the 7.7 from previous low of 7.8. So how can I bump up the Ph without increasing anything else?

PS I top off with limewater already

bluespotjawfish · 08-03-2007, 01:10 PM

Have you calibrated and double checked the pH monitor?

Scouter Steve · 08-03-2007, 01:15 PM

Yep did that just after posting this again...dead on at 7.0 solution.

Woodstock · 08-03-2007, 01:16 PM

Check the calibration of your PH probe.

Ensure you have sufficient gas exchange/flow in your aquarium.

High amounts of CO2 will cause a low PH. I have the this issue with my new (air tight) home. I am guessing your indoor co2 is high. Try opening several windows and airing out your house/apt. You can test this by collecting two water samples in a large glass. Test the PH of both and then begin the test - place an airstone in one glass INSIDE the house; and an airstone in the other glass but place it OUTSIDE. After one hour, test the PH in both water samples. IF the outside one is higher, your indoor co2 is elevated.

Woodstock · 08-03-2007, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scouter Steve

Yep did that just after posting this again...dead on at 7.0 solution.

I recommend calibrating the PH probe with 5.0 and a 10.0 solutions.

tippMANn98 · 08-03-2007, 02:25 PM

low alkalinity levels????? for long periods...????

Scouter Steve · 08-03-2007, 02:52 PM

Woody, I don't have the 10 solution. Just 7 and 4.

Tippman---alk of 9.3 to 9.6 consistently. Is this low? Thought that was good.

Doing the air test now.

tippMANn98 · 08-03-2007, 02:56 PM

nope...I guess you could call that a little high, would cause low PH....

Scouter Steve · 08-03-2007, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tippMANn98

nope...I guess you could call that a little high, would cause low PH....

Wait help me understand this, you are saying my Alk is to high. That is why the low Ph.? I thought around 10 for Alk was a target.

Did the outside test and got an increase of .1

bluespotjawfish · 08-03-2007, 06:35 PM

Scouter, I'm having similar pH problems (outside and inside test are similar) I've asked Boomer and he said I should keep my alk on the high end of normal (up to 200 ppm, but no more) and of course in balance with my calcium. Your levels seem to be in balance and are fairly high already. You could raise both a little if you want to see if it helps. However, I do get inaccurate pH readings if I don't calibrate with both the 7.0 and 10.0 calibration fluids, so be careful.

Is everything in the tank acting normally?

Woodstock · 08-03-2007, 07:26 PM

Here are some great links

Low pH: Causes and Cures by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

Short Take - Robert Jordan

Woodstock · 08-03-2007, 07:26 PM

Here are some great links

Low pH: Causes and Cures by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

Short Take - Robert Jordan

Boomer · 08-03-2007, 08:26 PM

Atah girl Woody

AQTCJAK · 08-03-2007, 08:49 PM

Day & Night lighting is the easiest way to help maintain a constant pH. i.e. Tank lights on 8:00AM to 8:30PM sump lights 8:00PM to 8:30AM. I also recommend a Good pH Buffer Kent Marine Super Buffer seems to be the best I have found.

08-03-2007, 12:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
Scouter Steve Neon dottyback Join Date: May 2006 Location: Somers Wisconsin (Kenosha County) Posts: 687 View Gallery Karma Komment	Another PH question I have been having a problem with low PH for a few weeks now. Readins go as low as 7.7 and only as high as 8.1 (am to pm but not that much swing in one day). My alk is good at 9.3 dkh Ca at 430 and Mg 1350. I have my skimmer pulling in outside air and that hasn't seemed to make a difference. I do have some die off of my corraline but all else seems OK. This is a 300+ gal system with basement sump and lots of surface turbulance in tank and sump. I did just do a major pruning in my refugium which seemed to take the Ph down to the 7.7 from previous low of 7.8. So how can I bump up the Ph without increasing anything else? PS I top off with limewater already

08-03-2007, 01:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
bluespotjawfish Tridacna maxima Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Utah Posts: 4,943 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Another PH question Have you calibrated and double checked the pH monitor? __________________ Lorraine To BB and all Bluespots - Journey of the 2nd Year ...The 2nd Year - Photoshow Check out Mr. BJ and friends... Mr. BJ's Aquarium - PhotoShow Please Donate to the American Cancer Society: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/lorrainerichards

08-03-2007, 01:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
Scouter Steve Neon dottyback Join Date: May 2006 Location: Somers Wisconsin (Kenosha County) Posts: 687 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Another PH question Yep did that just after posting this again...dead on at 7.0 solution.

08-03-2007, 01:16 PM	#4 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 25,502 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Another PH question Check the calibration of your PH probe. Ensure you have sufficient gas exchange/flow in your aquarium. High amounts of CO2 will cause a low PH. I have the this issue with my new (air tight) home. I am guessing your indoor co2 is high. Try opening several windows and airing out your house/apt. You can test this by collecting two water samples in a large glass. Test the PH of both and then begin the test - place an airstone in one glass INSIDE the house; and an airstone in the other glass but place it OUTSIDE. After one hour, test the PH in both water samples. IF the outside one is higher, your indoor co2 is elevated. __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* *My Victorious Battle with ICH* 120 Reef Chronicle ~ *Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* *Massive 300 gal growout~* *My Anemone & Picasso Tank ~* *Picasso & Snowcasso for sale~* "Energy and persistance conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________

08-03-2007, 02:25 PM	#6 (permalink)
tippMANn98 Has been struck by the ban stick Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New Port Richey, FL Posts: 2,705 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Another PH question low alkalinity levels????? for long periods...????

08-03-2007, 02:52 PM	#7 (permalink)
Scouter Steve Neon dottyback Join Date: May 2006 Location: Somers Wisconsin (Kenosha County) Posts: 687 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Another PH question Woody, I don't have the 10 solution. Just 7 and 4. Tippman---alk of 9.3 to 9.6 consistently. Is this low? Thought that was good. Doing the air test now.

08-03-2007, 02:56 PM	#8 (permalink)
tippMANn98 Has been struck by the ban stick Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New Port Richey, FL Posts: 2,705 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Another PH question nope...I guess you could call that a little high, would cause low PH....

08-03-2007, 06:35 PM	#10 (permalink)
bluespotjawfish Tridacna maxima Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Utah Posts: 4,943 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Another PH question Scouter, I'm having similar pH problems (outside and inside test are similar) I've asked Boomer and he said I should keep my alk on the high end of normal (up to 200 ppm, but no more) and of course in balance with my calcium. Your levels seem to be in balance and are fairly high already. You could raise both a little if you want to see if it helps. However, I do get inaccurate pH readings if I don't calibrate with both the 7.0 and 10.0 calibration fluids, so be careful. Is everything in the tank acting normally? __________________ Lorraine To BB and all Bluespots - Journey of the 2nd Year ...The 2nd Year - Photoshow Check out Mr. BJ and friends... Mr. BJ's Aquarium - PhotoShow Please Donate to the American Cancer Society: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/lorrainerichards

08-03-2007, 07:26 PM	#11 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 25,502 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Another PH question Here are some great links Low pH: Causes and Cures by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com Short Take - Robert Jordan __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* *My Victorious Battle with ICH* 120 Reef Chronicle ~ *Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* *Massive 300 gal growout~* *My Anemone & Picasso Tank ~* *Picasso & Snowcasso for sale~* "Energy and persistance conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________

08-03-2007, 07:26 PM	#12 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 25,502 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Another PH question Here are some great links Low pH: Causes and Cures by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com Short Take - Robert Jordan __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* *My Victorious Battle with ICH* 120 Reef Chronicle ~ *Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* *Massive 300 gal growout~* *My Anemone & Picasso Tank ~* *Picasso & Snowcasso for sale~* "Energy and persistance conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________

08-03-2007, 08:26 PM	#13 (permalink)
Boomer Reef Sanctuary's Mr. Wizard Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Duluth, Minnesota Posts: 2,608 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Another PH question Atah girl Woody __________________ Boomer Want to Talk Chemistry ! The Reef Chemistry Forum Want to See More ! The Coral Realm If you See Me Running You Better Catch-Up An explosion can be defined as a loud noise, accompanied by the sudden going away of things, from a place where they use to be.

08-03-2007, 08:49 PM	#14 (permalink)
AQTCJAK Tiger Shark Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 7,267 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Another PH question Day & Night lighting is the easiest way to help maintain a constant pH. i.e. Tank lights on 8:00AM to 8:30PM sump lights 8:00PM to 8:30AM. I also recommend a Good pH Buffer Kent Marine Super Buffer seems to be the best I have found.

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