PH basics

[gregarlington]

What do you all find the best method for maintaining the proper PH???? PH seemed to be stable but now seems to be dropping. trates seems to be climbing so i wanted to do a water change but cant seem to get ph right in the fresh water either. I am using RO/DI water with salt mix and a powder buffer. The water i am mixing has a PH of about 8.6. I have been airating it for like a week now. As the trates climb in the tank too it seems like the PH is dropping......what is the best and fastest way to reach the desired PH level????

 

[jrein40806]

I use Kent Superbuffer. It comes in powder. I add the right amount in a glass with the tank water. I then stir it up really good and add it slowly into my sump. My ph went from 7.6-8.2 in a few days.
If you have livestock make sure you raise the level slowly. I would also wait 24 hrs before checking it again.

 

[timsedwards]

Hi there,
What are you using to maintain pH/Ca/Alk? It is very important the inter-relationship between these three. If you aeriate your water before putting it in the tank, keep Ca at 400-450 and Alk 9-11 or so, pH shouldnt be a problem, it should just fall in line.
However, if you are doing all of that and it doesnt work, use Kent's Super Buffer, that is quite good. But always best to try natural remedy first.
Let me know how you get on,
Tim.

 

[tlk]

what is the best and fastest way to reach the desired PH level

A rapid change in Ph (either up or down) can severely stress or kill any livestock you already have in your tank. You should change Ph Slowly

 

[broomer5]

I've never had to use a buffer when mixing new Instant Ocean saltmix with RO/DI water.
Try making some RO/DI water.
Aerate this freshwater overnight with powerhead/heater.
Next day mix up your salt.
If you bring the specific gravity up ( 35 ppt ) to full strength - you should find the pH to be around 8.2 to 8.3
Insure the temp and salinity is good - then do the water change.
Adding buffers to either the freshwater or the mixed saltwater is normally not necessary - and will lead to higher than desired pH values. As you're experiencing.
Try it and see what happens.

 

[beaslbob]

Originally posted by gregarlington
What do you all find the best method for maintaining the proper PH???? PH seemed to be stable but now seems to be dropping. trates seems to be climbing so i wanted to do a water change but cant seem to get ph right in the fresh water either. I am using RO/DI water with salt mix and a powder buffer. The water i am mixing has a PH of about 8.6. I have been airating it for like a week now. As the trates climb in the tank too it seems like the PH is dropping......what is the best and fastest way to reach the desired PH level????

I just use a little baking soda.

 

[azeritis]

You should test for pH at the same time each day under stable conditions, since the readings will vary between the time the lights come on in the morning and the time the lights go out at night (I hope I have this right!)

 

[azeritis]

"....Determine if carbon dioxide is accumulating in your tank. Remove .5 galon of tank water and aerate it vigorously for 24 hours. Then check the pH of the sample and the pH of the tank at the same time. Compare the two readings. If the pH of the tank is more than .2 pH units below that of the aerated sample, then carbon dioxide is accumulating."
Water chemistry for the MArins Aquarium, J. Tullock
His remedy includes:
Increase water movement
Increase the water volume returned from the main filter if possible
If both fail then there are probably too many organisms that respire within the aquarium, according to the author
Hope this helps some...