unexplained rise in ph

[screwsloose]

over the last 2 months my ph has been slowly creeping up. it started at 8.0 and is now at 8.49 . i dont run a reactor yet and do monthly water changes that equal about 15%. any ideas? i dont have an orp monitor so i cant test it.

[Playa-1]

How are you getting the pH results?

[screwsloose]

aquacontroller ph probe. its 6 months old.

[bearpeidog]

Have you calibrated the PH probe?

Also, have you changed your lighting schedule at all?

[Playa-1]

I would first Calibrate your pH probe. My pH had risen recently to a much higher then normal level. I recalibrated my probe and it made a .7 difference in my reading. I hadn't calibrated in quite a while. It is something that needs to be done on a regular basis if you expect to get accurate info.

[screwsloose]

cailbrated the probe when i put it in. havent since then. lighting schedule has stayed the same. atinics for 8 hours a day and mhs for 4 hours. sump lights run at night for 3 hours 3-6 am

[Playa-1]

I would recalibrate and/or have your current test results verified.

[lordofthereef]

Originally Posted by Playa-1

I would first Calibrate your pH probe. My pH had risen recently to a much higher then normal level. I recalibrated my probe and it made a .7 difference in my reading. I hadn't calibrated in quite a while. It is something that needs to be done on a regular basis if you expect to get accurate info.

How frequently do you calibrate? I have 0 experience with these, but plan to start using probes in the new build.

[Tang Salad]

Originally Posted by playa-1

i would recalibrate and/or have your current test results verified.

+1

[Playa-1]

Originally Posted by lordofthereef

How frequently do you calibrate? I have 0 experience with these, but plan to start using probes in the new build.

I will likely do it at least quarterly now and see how it goes. It's pretty easy to do so I don't know why I was putting it off. I really like using the probe on the controller but it does make it easy to get lazy sometimes

[screwsloose]

i agree. when everythings on the dispaly for you when you walk by its easy to get lazy. i will get recalibration solution tomorrow and recalibrate it and see what happens. 8.49 is getting on the high side of where i want to be and i want to correct it before it gets to far off. i was reading somewhere about baking soda dropping ph? what ratios do you use if i decide to go this route? of course i want teh right solution to fix itself first. i have been doing weekly 150 gl water changes for the last two weeks trying to drop it that way and i have an api test kit i can test it that way just havent done it yet.

[KyleO]

I definitely calibrate my ACIII and ACJr at least every six months............


Usually see a difference

[gtaylor67]

I would do a manual test kit if you have one or take to your LFS and have them test it to verify your readings.. Best of Luck...