PH Problem - Help Needed ASAP

Meaty24 · 04/30/2009, 08:15 PM

My PH is 8.63 (pinpoint reading). I tested with my back-up test strips and confirmed the reading.

I have a calcium reactor. Should I increase or decrease the CO2 to lower the PH?

Your help is appreciated.

ludnix · 04/30/2009, 08:20 PM

You shouldn't be worried, that isn't that far out of range.

You should be adjusting the pH of your Calcium reactor to get the calcium right, not the pH.

Meaty24 · 04/30/2009, 08:46 PM

But can't the amount of CO2 that I put in the calcium reactor change the PH on the tank?

sonnus · 04/30/2009, 09:11 PM

The more CO2, the lower the PH. Usually tanks with only calcium reactors have chronically low PH. 8.6 isn't too bad. Wait a bit and see if it comes down by its self.

Meaty24 · 05/02/2009, 05:19 PM

The PH went up to 8.7 and now I am getting some cyanobacteria, which I had and got rid of several months ago. Help!

Any advice?

mr_anderson · 05/02/2009, 06:48 PM

i'm sure you have a measurement error or your PH probe needs to be calibrated. If you are not dripping kalkwasser and running a calcium rx by itself, there is no way PH can be 8.7 in my opinion. if you feel your measurements are correct, please tell us more about your setup in order for us to help.

Meaty24 · 05/02/2009, 07:23 PM

I am not dripping kalk I do have Co2 running into the reactor. Maybe I should try recalibrating the PH monitor. I used my test strips and it was was pink/redder than the higest ph listed.

04/30/2009, 08:15 PM	#1
Meaty24 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 235	PH Problem - Help Needed ASAP My PH is 8.63 (pinpoint reading). I tested with my back-up test strips and confirmed the reading. I have a calcium reactor. Should I increase or decrease the CO2 to lower the PH? Your help is appreciated.

04/30/2009, 08:20 PM	#2
ludnix Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: California Posts: 3,031	You shouldn't be worried, that isn't that far out of range. You should be adjusting the pH of your Calcium reactor to get the calcium right, not the pH. __________________ -Eric Sutter Current Tank Info: 14g Biocube

04/30/2009, 08:46 PM	#3
Meaty24 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 235	But can't the amount of CO2 that I put in the calcium reactor change the PH on the tank?

04/30/2009, 09:11 PM	#4
sonnus Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 596	The more CO2, the lower the PH. Usually tanks with only calcium reactors have chronically low PH. 8.6 isn't too bad. Wait a bit and see if it comes down by its self.

05/02/2009, 05:19 PM	#5
Meaty24 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 235	The PH went up to 8.7 and now I am getting some cyanobacteria, which I had and got rid of several months ago. Help! Any advice?

05/02/2009, 06:48 PM	#6
mr_anderson Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 99	i'm sure you have a measurement error or your PH probe needs to be calibrated. If you are not dripping kalkwasser and running a calcium rx by itself, there is no way PH can be 8.7 in my opinion. if you feel your measurements are correct, please tell us more about your setup in order for us to help.

05/02/2009, 07:23 PM	#7
Meaty24 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 235	I am not dripping kalk I do have Co2 running into the reactor. Maybe I should try recalibrating the PH monitor. I used my test strips and it was was pink/redder than the higest ph listed.