Top of Water and Low PH

[mr. limpid]

This was discussed in a another thread, but I didn't start it. I've been fighting low PH in both of my tank for some time now. My FOWLR doesn't have a lot of algae growth (I have tangs) and I haven't started micro agile in my sump, yet. But my reef tank has a lot of plants and of late a very good growth of algae on the rocks. Because I let my clean up crew dwindle down, I have added certh snail's and a emerald crab last week. My pram's on my reef tank is PH - 7.9; cal - 420 and dkh - 9. I top of twice a day, with a total of 2 quarts of RO/DI water with a PH of 0. My question is shouldn't we be buffering our top off water to have a PH of 8.3? I forgot who but someone said if you add 0 PH fresh water to out tanks that it would not lower the DT PH. So that raises a question, then why when we perform hypo does the PH go down? Aren't we just adding 0 PH fresh water?

 

[eric b 125]

Fresh water should not have a pH of 0. Pure fresh water usually has a pretty neutral pH around 7.0. The reason the pH of top off water can be lower than that of the tank, is because when it mixes with the saltwater, the pH of the fresh water automatically rises.
The purpose of hypo is to lower the SG to a point that can't be tolerated by parasites, but won't hurt the fish. You are diluting the salt when you add fresh water to lower the SG, therefore making the water less alkaline and lowering the pH.

 

[beaslbob]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Limpid http:///t/390130/top-of-water-and-low-ph#post_3453080
This was discussed in a another thread, but I didn't start it. I've been fighting low PH in both of my tank for some time now. My FOWLR doesn't have a lot of algae growth (I have tangs) and I haven't started micro agile in my sump, yet. But my reef tank has a lot of plants and of late a very good growth of algae on the rocks. Because I let my clean up crew dwindle down, I have added certh snail's and a emerald crab last week. My pram's on my reef tank is PH - 7.9; cal - 420 and dkh - 9. I top of twice a day, with a total of 2 quarts of RO/DI water with a PH of 0. My question is shouldn't we be buffering our top off water to have a PH of 8.3? I forgot who but someone said if you add 0 PH fresh water to out tanks that it would not lower the DT PH. So that raises a question, then why when we perform hypo does the PH go down? Aren't we just adding 0 PH fresh water?
first of all measure alk as well as pH. While you're at it look up diy 2 part.
Second always measure pH just before light out.
Third increase macro and other algaes (in a refugium) so that carbon dioxide in being consumed along with ammonia/nitrAtes, and phosphates. pH will increase by the algae lowering carbon dioxide such that the tank becomes a net consumer of carbon dioxide and source of oxygen each day. By increasing ALK with baking soda the daily fluxuations on pH will be much less.
If you use the diy two part and balance out the tank with algaes, the ph will be at least 8.3
my .02

 

[mr. limpid]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric B 125 http:///t/390130/top-of-water-and-low-ph#post_3453085
Fresh water should not have a pH of 0. Pure fresh water usually has a pretty neutral pH around 7.0. The reason the pH of top off water can be lower than that of the tank, is because when it mixes with the saltwater, the pH of the fresh water automatically rises.
The purpose of hypo is to lower the SG to a point that can't be tolerated by parasites, but won't hurt the fish. You are diluting the salt when you add fresh water to lower the SG, therefore making the water less alkaline and lowering the pH. isn't that the same thing that is happening to DT when topping off.
My mistake your right top of water is at 7.0.
beasbob:
first of all measure alk as well as pH. While you're at it look up diy 2 part. what is this diy 2 part
Second always measure pH just before light out. I test 1hr after lights on and late in the day PH always low
Third increase macro and other algaes (in a refugium) no refug on 20gal reef (old set up) so that carbon dioxide in being consumed along with ammonia/nitrAtes, and phosphates. pH will increase by the algae plenty in tank and lot of plants lowering carbon dioxide such that the tank becomes a net consumer of carbon dioxide and source of oxygen each day. By increasing ALK with baking soda I use PH buffer I purchased a while ago bought a huge container the daily fluxuations on pH will be much less.
If you use the diy two part and balance out the tank with algaes, the ph will be at least 8.3
beasbob your two cents is worth more than that

 

[beaslbob]

DIY 2 part is a method of maintaining cal/alk/magnesium in marine tanks using inexpensive bulk materials.
I had very low pH (7.6 or lower) until I added several macro algaes and in a day it was above 8. Using buffers the pH would drop back down in a week but with the macros it rose to over 8.4 (api high range test kit) and stayed there.
Check the ingredients of the pH buffer. Betcha it constains sodium bicarbonate (baking soda).
I'll take. .03 LOL

 

[mr. limpid]

Quote:
Originally Posted by beaslbob http:///t/390130/top-of-water-and-low-ph#post_3453096
DIY 2 part is a method of maintaining cal/alk/magnesium in marine tanks using inexpensive bulk materials.
I had very low pH (7.6 or lower) until I added several macro algaes and in a day it was above 8. Using buffers the pH would drop back down in a week but with the macros it rose to over 8.4 (api high range test kit) and stayed there.
Check the ingredients of the pH buffer. Betcha it constains sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). I'll look at the ingredients when I get home.
I'll take. .03 LOL
I can do this to my FOWLR since I have a sump. But this nano reef is so old of a set up that its not $ worth it. I'm thinking of building a new set up and intergrading it with my FOWLR to use the same wet/dry and sump filtration. This is on the drawing board.