Question for expert level only please

[ironbird456]

Please answer this question with a simple yes or no. If you continue to add kent dkh superbuffer to an aquarium with low PH and high alk. Will it continue to raise the alk? Please please try to answer yes or no. I know how hard it is to answer yes or no. Please try. Let's say the PH is around 7.90 and the alk is 12 dkh. Thank you very much for the info. I have looked at aprox. 60 articles on line about low PH issues. I have honestly tried to do research on this. I know it is only a band aid. Any expert level aquarist ( especially someone who uses Kent superbuffer ) please chime in. Thanks again !!!

 

[silveradobobby]

Yes the super buffer will cause the dhk to sky rocket if u keep adding it and has no stopping point!

 

[Richard]

You can buy buffer that raises ph, like reef buffer.

If your Corals look find, I would not overboard trying to raise you ph.

 

[ironbird456]

@silveradobobby wrote:

At what point is cause for concern with the alk level? I know 12 dkh is the top end. When would you start seeing negative effects, and what would they be?

 

[ironbird456]

@Richard wrote:

I just can't leave it alone. It kills me to see my ph get down to 7.75 at night. My corals and fish look fine, but I do not want to wait until I lose something to figure this all out.

 

[bimmerzs]

@ironbird456 wrote:

I just can't leave it alone. It kills me to see my ph get down to 7.75 at night. My corals and fish look fine, but I do not want to wait until I lose something to figure this all out."]

Since your original question has been answered I'll add to your reply. If you are using a meter to check PH, I would suggest you make sure it has a fresh battery and is properly calibrated. If using a test kit, they are not accurate imo and I would not trust them enough to make ph changes to my tank without verifying the results. Next....if your water chemistry is balanced with Ca/Alk/Mg levels all inline, then ph will take care of itself. If your critter's and coral are fine now I would not try to reach some "magic" number. I was told long ago to never chase PH because that is seldom the root issue.

Cheers,

 

[Richard]

@ironbird456 wrote:

I just can't leave it alone. It kills me to see my ph get down to 7.75 at night. My corals and fish look fine, but I do not want to wait until I lose something to figure this all out."]

It is normal for you ph to drop at night.

 

[ironbird456]

@bimmerzs wrote:

I just can't leave it alone. It kills me to see my ph get down to 7.75 at night. My corals and fish look fine, but I do not want to wait until I lose something to figure this all out."]

Since your original question has been answered I'll add to your reply. If you are using a meter to check PH, I would suggest you make sure it has a fresh battery and is properly calibrated. If using a test kit, they are not accurate imo and I would not trust them enough to make ph changes to my tank without verifying the results. Next....if your water chemistry is balanced with Ca/Alk/Mg levels all inline, then ph will take care of itself. If your critter's and coral are fine now I would not try to reach some "magic" number. I was told long ago to never chase PH because that is seldom the root issue.

Cheers,"]

PH monitor is spot on in calibration. I back it up with salifert ph test. The issue is my other measurements are in line and the ph is not taking care of itself. It is driving my NUTS!!! the only downfall beside sightly high alk is my phosphates are up a little. I have done three 35% water changes in three weeks, and I am using pura phoslock. I love this hobby!!! My biggest downfall is I can not stand when things are not right. I am not an expert, but have a good grasp on the general idea of reef keeping. This just another opportunity to learn I guess.

 

[ironbird456]

@Richard wrote:

I just can't leave it alone. It kills me to see my ph get down to 7.75 at night. My corals and fish look fine, but I do not want to wait until I lose something to figure this all out."]

It is normal for you ph to drop at night."]

I know this and accept it, but dropping below 7.8 is not acceptable.

 

[Guest]

High alk you will see the effect in lps first in my experience. Have you tried dosing at night before the lights turn off. Also reverse cycle on your macro I heard will help

 

[ironbird456]

@kuyatwo wrote:

Gonna do that starting today. That is one of the things I read as well. Thank you. as a side question. Doea anyone know if your cheato turns on you can that cause phosphates to rise or ph to drop?

 

[bimmerzs]

@ironbird456 wrote:

So sounds like you are using the 10 and 7 solutions to calibrate the monitor. Where are your Ca and MG levels at and what skimmer are you running....perhaps not enough aeration/oxygenation going on?

Cheers,

 

[lceman225]

yes.. if you keep dosing your dKH buffer the alk will keep rising like people have stated. Have you tried dripping kalk? I've been dripping and was under the impression that kalk can help raise PH while only maintaining alk/ca, that is, if you don't overdose which is hard to do if you drip slowly. I drip about 1g/day. On a side note, I was having a slight cyano problem but is slowly going away since I started dripping kalk. It could be that kalk has a positive effect on phosphates as well.

 

[ironbird456]

@bimmerzs wrote:

So sounds like you are using the 10 and 7 solutions to calibrate the monitor. Where are your Ca and MG levels at and what skimmer are you running....perhaps not enough aeration/oxygenation going on?

Cheers,"]

MG 1480 CA 430 skimmer is an urchin pro that works like a champ. I have water turning over the surface in every area of my tank. It is not that. Trust me I honestly do not think I over looked any of the common things. Although I am going to test dissolved oxygen levels next week.

 

[ironbird456]

@lceman225 wrote:

To be honest I want nothing to do with the kalk drip. I am not looking to add anything else I have to check on, monitor, or worry about. I just want to get my ph to where it is stable, and solve the problem. Trust me though I do appreciate the suggestions and feedback.

 

[rckrzy1]

I've run 14 DKH for a week and it killed off my bubble algae and stressed and killed a ric or two.

Have you tried opening the windows and getting fresh air in to the tank.

 

[BigJay]

I'm no "super expert" but I had the same problem that you are experiencing. You can fix it without adding super-buffer.

1. Increase aeration of your tank. Make sure that the powerheads are disturbing the tank surface so that excess CO2 can gas off. Make sure the surface of your tank doesn't develop a layer of scum.

2. Fresh air: Take a sample of tank water outside and stir it for a few minutes, then measure the PH of that sample. If the result PH is high enough, you have too much CO2 in your house.

It sounds stupid, but opening a window when it's nice out will naturally bring down CO2 levels in your house and tank, raising the PH.

3. Last resort: Add kalkwasser to your topoff water. If your auto-topoff adds the topoff water slowly enough with a small pump, then it is probably safe to add limewater. While kalk will raise alk and calcium, it takes a lot to make a significant change. A little kalk will have a big effect on PH, since the hydroxide ion reacts with CO2, removing it from the water.

If you have an ATO that automatically adds RO/DI water to your sump when it is low, consider adding 1/2tsp of kalk powder per gallon of RO water in the reservoir as a starting point.

I hope this helps mate, good luck with your PH problem!

 

[Renmar]

@ironbird456 wrote:

I am no expert by no means, but I have read quite a few places that pH will throughout the day. Especially when the lights are off!

Mine is always higher during the day, but at night drops down some.

 

[jbrownacu]

What is your setup like? Reef ready and all that jazz? Live rock in the tank? Baserock? Sand?
Josh

 

[ironbird456]

@jbrownacu wrote:

72 gallon bow with 20 gallon refugium/sump. Mixed reef with about a 2 1/2 inch sand bed, and a ton of live rock ( around 150 - 175 lbs I guess ) Well established system. Been up and running since 2005.