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Old 07-07-2006, 12:32 AM   #1 (permalink)
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I have a PH issue and need some help.

I have a freshly calibrated PH meter that reads 9.99 in the 10.0 solution and 7.0 in the 7.0 solution. My Ph is reading 7.58 right now and that is after a 10% changeout. Oddly enough, it read higher (7.75) before the change out. I am not sure if that is normal or not.

Now I went out and bought a Salifert KH kit since I didn't trust my Hagen kit. It is reading a KH of 9.9 and an ALK of 3.54.

Other tests include:What I need help with is:
  1. Do I need to raise my PH. (I assume Yes)
  2. I know there is a KH/ALK/PH relationship and I am afraid to get it out of balance. How do I go about raising the PH to a normal level of 8.1?
Thanks in advance.
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Old 07-07-2006, 12:39 AM   #2 (permalink)
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look into a 2-part buffering system such as SEACHEM'S marine buffer and reefbuilder, or KENT'S ph buffer and coral builder. they have engineered a system where you can bring PH or KH up with minimal impact on each other. are you taking your PH reading midday?
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Old 07-07-2006, 12:39 AM   #3 (permalink)
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the way i raise my ph is i added a air pump and a sand stone. i hate the look of it and i am sure everyone with a salt talk does lol. however i hid the tube as best as i could and you can barely see it. when my ph is low i turn it on. mine gets low around 8.0 and i turn it on for about 12 hours and it gets it back up to 8.2. not sure if thats any help but its alot cheaper then ph buffer. i think i paid $10 for my complete air setup.. and i dont have to worry about mixing powder and liquid lol. like i said it doesnt look the best but it works great. thats just my experience.
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Old 07-07-2006, 12:40 AM   #4 (permalink)
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FW i have always heard if you bring up the kh to 115 your ph will be 8.2 do you think thats true?
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Old 07-07-2006, 12:45 AM   #5 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wwest
FW i have always heard if you bring up the kh to 115 your ph will be 8.2 do you think thats true?
yes, in theory. but you can have high KH and still show low PH because at night or when there is a higher concentration of CO2. that is why you show higher PH reading after running your airstone.
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Old 07-07-2006, 12:47 AM   #6 (permalink)
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the CO2 release of the water brings up the ph?

sorry wildeone for highjacking..
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Old 07-07-2006, 12:53 AM   #7 (permalink)
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the release of CO2 from water will allow PH to rise without gas influence.
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Old 07-07-2006, 01:01 AM   #8 (permalink)
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No problem, its all about the learning.

Thanks for the reply blubber. I take my Ph reading every 3 minutes, but it was just calibrated again tonight. I will post the 24 hour results tomorrow night here. I made a mistake earlier though the PH is not 7.58, but 7.87. So , I think I will watch it for 24 hours and see what we end up with midday tomorrow.

I will also look into that Seachem buffer if I need to.
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Old 07-07-2006, 01:06 AM   #9 (permalink)
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wildeone, just thought i'll point out if you did not know already that the PH probes reads best if the water is not too turbulent and are free of micro-bubbles.
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Old 07-07-2006, 11:34 AM   #10 (permalink)
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Wildone i assuming your testing alk in Meq/L, not dkh?
if this is the case ur alk level is ok!

If its geraman deg then the main key is to concentrate on the alk, cause it wouldn;t be acting as a buffer against the PH swings.but the measurement has a decimal point so im asuming the first one!
Your Ca levels are good at the moment, so no red flags are poping up just yet, and essecially cause the Alk level is ok your not likely to experince a drop of of carbons any time soon. so yeah, the main problem is the PH
U could try blubbers scientificly proven formula for short term, although 2 things to keep in mind here.

1) Look at the price tag, cause u could get away logicly with Seachem Reef Builder with B_carb soda as your 2nd part cause thats all it is anyways!

2)Sodium and bromide are typicly high in any buffering compond we add to the tanks, prolonged use of these 2 & 3 part mixtures can increase level beyond the natral level in nature, which in my opioion is not a good thing!
everyone knows what sodium is, but bromide u may or may not be aware of & is abit more interesting.
Without the proper amounts of bromide, iodide cannot be metabolized into proper use by your animals. it joins the other in the table as a minor Ion, but still has to have its place respectfully!

My honest suggestion. & i might get some back lash cause i cant remember what u dose, but if your dosing robs calcium hydroxide method id drip it at night when the Ph drops natrally to even it out abit more. that combined with a quick boost of sodium bicarb & a reverse lighting period in the sump/fuge should solve all your problems
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Old 07-07-2006, 10:53 PM   #11 (permalink)
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Thanks for the input Veriann, I value your opinion. Before I respond let me update...

I cleaned my probe in Vinegar and calibrated again based on a suggestion by blubber. It read 7.86 after the recalibration.

Here is a chart showing the last 18 hours:



Lights are on around 8AM and off around 8PM

As you can see, my PH is still low.



Veriann - I am using a SSalifert kit and the chart I have says KH in DKH is 9.9 and my Alk in meq/L is 3.54. I am dosing...nothing at this time. And I am running a reverse photo period for the sump.

I am treading in an area I am not familiar with and don't quite grasp. Sodium Bicarb can raise my PH without affecting my CA or ALK? I think I need to read more, but I am worried about my critters as I have lost a shrimp and I just want things back in line quickly. I tend to take to long if I start reading and researching.

I have some Red Sea Reef Success Buffer in hand that came with my test kits. It says 5ml will treat 60 gallons. And it also says it contains Sodium Bicarb. Would 10% change outs every other day rais the PH as well?

Thanks to all!
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Old 07-07-2006, 11:53 PM   #12 (permalink)