pH Problems
- Thread starter grubsnaek
- Start date
fedukeford
Active Member
Just let the tank run until the cycle is over, it should stable itself out after the cycle.
Feduke
Feduke
acrylic51
Active Member
Yeah let the new salt mix aerate for 24hrs and check......Is it possible your PH test kit is old outdated? That does happen from time to time.....PH can be supressed by to much CO2 and other things as well.....If your checking your PH with the lights off could give you a different reading then with the lights on.....Try to check your PH in your display about midway through your light cycle.....That is where it should possibly be around it's highest.....
Honestly I don't believe it's necessary to run a tank at 8.3.....Some of the nicest tanks are done at much lower PH's, and I think the biggest key is keeping it steady and preventing the major swings.....
Honestly I don't believe it's necessary to run a tank at 8.3.....Some of the nicest tanks are done at much lower PH's, and I think the biggest key is keeping it steady and preventing the major swings.....
grubsnaek
Active Member
i use tropic marin. and i did an Alk test and it seems kinda low. 4-5 range...
acrylic51 here me out. does this sound like it can happen. tonight i tested the DT and the pH was 8.2-8.4 right were it should be. i think i used fresh tap water to prerinse the test tube, then used the DT water to test it. can that happen. and how can i get my Alk up. and is that a pic of your kid. if so shes adorible. at first glance looks like one of my buddys kids.
acrylic51 here me out. does this sound like it can happen. tonight i tested the DT and the pH was 8.2-8.4 right were it should be. i think i used fresh tap water to prerinse the test tube, then used the DT water to test it. can that happen. and how can i get my Alk up. and is that a pic of your kid. if so shes adorible. at first glance looks like one of my buddys kids.
acrylic51
Active Member
I''m not sure what your referring too???? 4-5???? Are your talking about your reading in DKH or Meq/l???? It really makes a difference......You said your water in the DT tested between 8.2-8.4???? That to me is alot of gray area.....is there anyway you can narrow it down a bit more?? 8.2 IMO isn't a bad PH.....I think running at 8.4 is alittle high though.....I think the big thing is keeping it steady than rather shooting for that perfect 8.3.......
Honestly I don't believe rinsing your test tubes with tap water would make a whole lot of difference....I always rinse with tap water myself, but shake them a couple of times before adding my sample solutions though........
Alk can be adjusted several ways.....If I have on hand I use Kent SuperDKH buffer, and baking soda will work just as well.....Any chemical addition needs to be done slowly and monitored......At times it may take a full 24hrs to get an accurate reading on the adjustments you've made to the system......You also have to remember that if your PH is running at 8.4 like your tests might be indicating, by adjusting your Alk you could possibly raise the PH even more....I've done some playing with meters and by mixing buffer and adding to the system you can easily see on a meter how the PH jumps rather high, but you'll see it come back down.....I don't know with your situation with your PH on the high side by trying to raise the Alk if you'll drive the PH higher....
I would honestly try to get a specific PH figure, even if it means buying a new test kit, a PH monitor or having the LFS test it for you to give you a good base number to start with......All numbers should be looked at carefully before tinkering IMO.......Another good possible way to get things back in check safely would be to do a series of water changes......That way it could balance itself out naturally....
Honestly I don't believe rinsing your test tubes with tap water would make a whole lot of difference....I always rinse with tap water myself, but shake them a couple of times before adding my sample solutions though........
Alk can be adjusted several ways.....If I have on hand I use Kent SuperDKH buffer, and baking soda will work just as well.....Any chemical addition needs to be done slowly and monitored......At times it may take a full 24hrs to get an accurate reading on the adjustments you've made to the system......You also have to remember that if your PH is running at 8.4 like your tests might be indicating, by adjusting your Alk you could possibly raise the PH even more....I've done some playing with meters and by mixing buffer and adding to the system you can easily see on a meter how the PH jumps rather high, but you'll see it come back down.....I don't know with your situation with your PH on the high side by trying to raise the Alk if you'll drive the PH higher....
I would honestly try to get a specific PH figure, even if it means buying a new test kit, a PH monitor or having the LFS test it for you to give you a good base number to start with......All numbers should be looked at carefully before tinkering IMO.......Another good possible way to get things back in check safely would be to do a series of water changes......That way it could balance itself out naturally....
cowfishrule
Active Member
lots of surface agitation as well.
thats what fixed my ph problem.
thats what fixed my ph problem.
hatessushi
Active Member
Ocean water runs anywhere from 7.8pH in the open ocean to 8.3ph in reef areas. As long as your pH is stable I wouldn't worry about it unless it runs for sure below 7.8 and for sure above 8.3.
I say "for sure" because I have a digital meter that I calibrated 3 times 2 days ago and consistently reads as 7.66 as a low to 7.75 as a high yet I perform a pH test with a Red Sea, and Salifert pH kits and they both read 8.0. I believe my probe is bad and need to replace it. So, make sure your test kit is good. You might try taking a sample to your LFS and have them check it.
I say "for sure" because I have a digital meter that I calibrated 3 times 2 days ago and consistently reads as 7.66 as a low to 7.75 as a high yet I perform a pH test with a Red Sea, and Salifert pH kits and they both read 8.0. I believe my probe is bad and need to replace it. So, make sure your test kit is good. You might try taking a sample to your LFS and have them check it.
grubsnaek
Active Member
sorry i did mean my dkH was between 4-5. the pH reading was alittle more on the 8.2 side just slightly off thats why i said 8.2-8.4 range.Kent SuperDKH buffer just ordered 2day. now with the water changes im still in cycle. actually should be almost done. should i do a water change and how much. my pH has been steady now. i dont know what i did wrong though. so what do i do with the dkH. isnt that 4-5 range to low. and whats your thoughts with this combo vital. is it any good. or no good.
cowfishrule
Active Member
Originally Posted by HatesSushi
As long as your pH is stable I wouldn't worry about it unless it runs for sure below 7.8 and for sure above 8.3.
stability is the key
you can run successfully anywhere between 7.8 and 8.3 as long as its stable.
you are going to get fluctuations between day/night.
As long as your pH is stable I wouldn't worry about it unless it runs for sure below 7.8 and for sure above 8.3.
stability is the key
you can run successfully anywhere between 7.8 and 8.3 as long as its stable.
you are going to get fluctuations between day/night.