pH

C

commandertekki

For the longest time We've been utilizing kalk on a 24 hour basis to keep the pH steady at 8.20.

Since we added astreas to the picture, the ORP reading has finally started going up to 325, and he water column is absoultely crystal clear. In addition to that... I've been noticing a steady increase in the pH that is beginning to concern me. Its currently at 8.42 and will probably climb up higher later today when the main lights turn themself on.

I've shut off all kalk. I have increased now the output of the calcium reactor and increased the CO2 output on the reactor. Its been one full day since I've done this and this morning I increased the output even more to see if this will help. The readings in the effluent is showing 7.4 which is for me is high because I usually keep it at 6.9.

Is there any other viable suggestions?
 
Serk recommended that I hook up a pH controller to my Kalk Reactor for the exact same reason. Once pH gets too high it stops dripping and lets settle back down.

or, just start cutting back on the amount of Kalk until the pH stabilizes where it needs to be at? Don't you drip with a box instead of reactor?
 
@Spar wrote:
Serk recommended that I hook up a pH controller to my Kalk Reactor for the exact same reason. Once pH gets too high it stops dripping and lets settle back down. or said:
I think the problem that we are having is do to the calcium reactor is dripping too slow and not keeping up with the drip of the kalk box which goes 24/7. I asked Phillip to increase the flow to the calcium reactor which should help reduce the pH that is currently sitting at 8.43
Click to expand...
 
For a one time fix you can dose a little white vinegar, it will bring the PH and alk down. Dont overdo it and use your test kits to figure out where you are.
 
This may sound crazy but after adding some astreas snails into the tank, it wiped out all hair algae and I noticed an increased of pH. Since the live rocks are cleaned, it's now filtering and the water is more crystal clear than ever before. The pH is now sitting at 8.94. We have increased the output of the CO2 to run overnight since it has taken 3 hrs to drop from 9.1. to 8.9. In 9 hrs, we expect the pH to drop to 8.3 by 6:00 AM.
 
After freaking out for a few hours, it turn out that the battery on the Pinpoint meter needed new battery. I did a Salifert test on pH and it's around 8.3 which I should have just gone out and purchase a battery that day for the pinpoint.

Our current pH is now at 7.9 which we are reversing the drip of the Calcium Reactor and dripping the kalk 24/7.

As for pH being in 7.8 to 7.9, you need to drip kalk to raise your pH. I realized in the past the the pH of the RO water always come out between 7.4 to 7.6 which lowers your pH over time when just adding RO water.

Thanks Dave for another great link to pH.
 
Yeah also remember that the probes have a limited life (around one year, maybe less, maybe more). My probe is now a bit over a year old and insists my ph is 7.3, despite the test kits saying 8.3 :) Definetly time for new probe.

PW
 
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