This stinkin' PH!!

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tizzo

Guest
O.K. Here goes, My PH in my tap starts out @ 7.0, after runnin' it through the R.O unit, it drops to 6.2... So I add Kent's osmo prep... now its back to 7.0, then I add Red Sea salt & it goes up to 7.8, then I add my buffer which takes it to 8.1-8.2. Now after reading that so many people never add buffers, I have to ask... is it my salt, (I also tried instant ocean with the same results). I've been doing it like this forever, but if there is a way around it, Please let me know!!
P.S. I've tested the PH with strips,dips, and now I have an electronic probe tester... All got same results.
 
birdy

birdy

Active Member
More important than the make up water what is the pH in your tank? It is better to dose pH buffer by the drip method in your actual tank than in your makeup water.
How long are you aging your saltwater? and do you have a powerhead in there for circulation and airation?
I drip Kalk and as my topoff water and that mantains my pH, alk and Ca levels, many people use b-ionic (the two part additive) because you can add it right to the tank.
 
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tizzo

Guest
The PH in my main tank is 8.1-8.2 because that how I've always done it. I haven't ever had to add buffer to my main tank... I am a water changin' fool!! If there were a such thing as to many changes, that would be me!!
 
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tizzo

Guest
I forgot, I always age my water at LEAST 24 hours with 2 airline in the container (5 Gal), a powerhead won't fit in the hole.
 
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thomas712

Guest
What brand of salt?
Use a different container, even a spare aquarium will do, I use a 29 gallon for my water change water. Use a powerhead with a aeriator(sp).
Thomas
 
beaslbob

beaslbob

Well-Known Member
tizzo: plant life in the display should be absorbing carbon dioxide and therefore preventing daytime ph drops. RO/DI water also has the buffering of tap water removed. You might try not doing all this to see if the display still stays above 8.0 just before lights out. Could be a lot of work for nothing.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
My suggestion is to stop using the Osmo Prep & stop buffering your new salt water.
Just do the water change with the aged saltwater mix and you'll find that all is well.
You should also test the Ca & ALK levels of your tank water and maintain them at proper levels through dosing.
 
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tizzo

Guest
I have used instant ocean and Red Sea salt, both w/ same results. I have a 29 gal empty tank that I can try to use, but I'm confused as to how that will make a difference?? I don't have plant life in my tank (anymore) my coral beauty & tang ate it all. (I will be getting a refugium soon), But I'm not so much concerned about the tank water... I'm curious about why my saltwater isn't even at 8.0 BEFORE I add it to my tank??
 
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tizzo

Guest
Bang Guy,
You were typing @ the same time I was... B-4 I started using osmo prep & buffer, my PH only got as high as 7.8, and did not change when I put it in my main tank. I did water change after water change before I finally decided to test my water before adding it to my tank, & lo & behold... that's where all the chemicals came in.:notsure:
 
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tizzo

Guest
In my main tank my Ca is 320. (I stopped adding it when I started using Red Sea reef salt). My Alk is 180. Do you think it makes a difference that I use a whole house water softener before the water even comes into the house?? It softens the water but it does nothing for the PH. I don't know how but that's what it does. I mix my salt in a white plastic 5 gal. container, then drop in an air line w/ stone and let it circulate until I do a water change... Could be a day, could be as many as 3... But never immediately!!
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Your ALK looks fine but I'd suggest getting your Ca up past 400.
Your water softener won't make any difference because you're using RO. I think the softener will extend the life of your RO membrane a lot though.
Can you be more specific about how you mix your water in the bucket? Step by step. I've solved problems before that were as simple as changing the mixing procedure.
 
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tizzo

Guest
I put in 5 gallons ro water, then my osmo prep, then I add the salt (2.5 cups), at this point my salinity is 1.0225, then 1/8 tsp of buffer (Kent marine Superbuffer-dKH), then aerate with stone (so the line sinks).
 
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tizzo

Guest
Well a couple of times (at first) I would add about 2 gallons then add the salt, then cap the container-pick it up and shake it til the cows came home, or so it seemed... I don't think the salt ever dissolved completely, so I gave that up and started the aeration thing.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Those first several seconds after adding the salt are critical. If you're not vigerously stirring while slowly pouring the salt in you can end up with precipitation from concentrations that exceeds the saturation level.
Try this test:
Mix some salt your way and test for Ca and ALK then mix some my way and do the same test.
Use whichever way gives the highest readings.
 
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tizzo

Guest
Maybe that's why Thomas told me to use a spare tank!?!? O.K. I'll try it your way (I already know what my results are). Is the simple task of mixing the salt water this precise for everybody, or is it just my luck??
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Well, what often happens is that the salt just sits on the bottom too long and then the Calcium levels are too high on the bottom of the bucket. This causes it to precipitate with the Carbonate and Magnesium and most of the other trace elements. What you end up with is unstable saltwater that really shouldn't be used.
Your old way would cause this too (the procedure you smartly abandoned). This about what the contents of your just shaken 1/2 bucket of water contained:
Salinity = 70ppt
Calcium = 780ppm
Carbonate = 5.5Meq/L
Magnesium = 2500ppm!!
There is just nothing good that can come of that :)
 
reefer1

reefer1

Member
I place a strong power head in the container of DI water for 24 hrs then as the power head is circulating I slowly add my salt and let it mix for another 24 hrs or longer. I used to add the salt to the water without the power head and noticed a crusty substance on the bottom of my vat. Since the power head was added I have had good results.
 
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