pH

[buzz]

I have a fairly new saltwater tank. All levels are now perfect, except pH. It is a bit low. Not much, but not perfect either. I saw on a site that the addition of diluted baking soda will bring the pH to 8.2. I hesitate in adding baking soda to my tank. Is this a good practice? Or is there a better way?

 

[alf3482]

I have been using baking soda in my reefs for over two years. Never a problem. I use it to make my alk buffer. HTH JMO&JME

 

[buzz]

Thanks! I appreciate the info.

 

[ijeh99]

how much baking soda should one put in? i need to bring my pH higher.
how many tsp. per gallon?

 

[david s]

is your tank reef if it is I found a product I love called B-ionic it is a 2 part system takes care of ph and calcuim works well every night I put a mesured amount in tank and wala all done as long as you dont have a heavy calcuim tank it works well I have been buying alot of corals now and I am changeing things but it worked well for a while

 

[alf3482]

Well that really depends on each system. But I will get you a start. With anything in the reef aquarium hobby, slow is always best. And depends on other levels.
So let see what all your readings are.
PH and what time of day are you testing? Also do you test at the same time of day each time you test?
Alk
CA
Mag
S.G.
These levels are related in some ways when maintaining one or the other.
Also what size tank is this and what is your water change routine, if any?
How do you dose for Alk & ca. on a regular basis?
how do you handle evp. water top off??
Sorry for so many questions, But other things that you are or are not doing with these other componets could effect other levels also effecting PH.

 

[sinner's girl]

you could also add Kalkwasser mix, it helps coral line grow and may raise the ph...if you find the need to raise ph

 

[ijeh99]

I only have fish and invertebraes. I am not going to do reef for a long time - until the fish die or I exchange them for something else.
My readings are pH 7.8
ammonia .25
nitrate 10
nitrite 0
I test the water around 17:00 each time.
My tests are coming out worse each time as the days go by. I have had this aquarium for almost 4 months.
My tank is 21 g. I have lots of rocks in there but one semi-alive LR (it has no bristle worms in it).
I clean my aquarium one a week including vacuuming the cc.
I top the water with distilled water when needed.
Should I consider buying kalwasser even if I don't have coral? or any other nutrients to my water?
How does baking soda work? How many tsp. per gallon?
The bleached corals are now completely brown - should I boil them to remove the excess diatom?

 

[broomer5]

ijeh99
I would not use baking soda as a way to raise your pH.
If a person did choose to use it - the dosage would not be how may tsp/gallon but rather how many gallons/tsp.
Baking soda by itself is pure sodium bicarbonate.
Will it raise your pH - you bet.
Will it raise the dKH - oh yeah.
But - there is a huge risk of overdosing baking soda.
It has a tendency to drive the pH down a little at first, then has the potential to slowly build up to over near 8.6 pH
If overdosed, and the pH gets too high, your calcium may parcipitate out of solution and the swing in pH may cause undue stress on your tank inhabitants.
Baking soda by itself is lacking some of the other chemical compounds that a good buffer product contains.
If overdosed - it can whack out your water chemistry faster than you can say - oops what did I do.
In my opinion - You're much better off using other products on the market such as alkalinity builders and marine buffers to adjust your tank water. These products are a mix of bicarbonates and carbonate salts - that will raise the pH and alk level slowly and not overshoot the pH near as fast.

 

[alf3482]

I would not use baking soda as a way to raise your pH.
If a person did choose to use it - the dosage would not be how may tsp/gallon but rather how many gallons/tsp.
Baking soda by itself is pure sodium bicarbonate.
Will it raise your pH - you bet.
Will it raise the dKH - oh yeah.
But - there is a huge risk of overdosing baking soda.
It has a tendency to drive the pH down a little at first, then has the potential to slowly build up to over near 8.6 pH
If overdosed, and the pH gets too high, your calcium may parcipitate out of solution and the swing in pH may cause undue stress on your tank inhabitants.
Baking soda by itself is lacking some of the other chemical compounds that a good buffer product contains.
If overdosed - it can whack out your water chemistry faster than you can say - oops what did I do.
I totaly agree. And this is why at this point I will not give doseing advice. All factors must be examined before you come up with a fix.
In my opinion - You're much better off using other products on the market such as alkalinity builders and marine buffers to adjust your tank water.
This one I don't agree with. I use no labled products. I Have five Tanks in the house.
ijeh99
Ok you still did not list Alk readings. Or what you are keeping S.G. At, both can also play a role in Alk levels which in turn effects PH. Also Mag Levels. If this value is incorrect you may never balance water chemistry. While you only have a FO tank this is still important. And how you deal with this can also effect PH. As stated before the use of any chemical improperly can effect water chemistry. Including A high priced labeled Product. It's not just important to know PH is low but why it is low. Alk and PH levels work together in a way. If you solve one and not the other then you will only continue to have problems.