Raising PH w/o raising ALK...

PhilipOSU · 12/10/2008, 02:04 PM

I had been trying to pull up my PH by dosing/topping off with Kalk and was able to keep it in the 8.1 area, but that slowly pushed my ALK up to 13DKH. So I obviously cut that out. My PH is currently reading at 7.85 and haven't checked the ALK for about a week, but haven't done anything to the tank that would bring it up (I'm at work now of I would check it).

I know that increasing the oxygenation of the water will accomplish this so I tried a week ago to run a couple of airstones in sump but that has had little to no effect. I have heard running the airline to the skimmer to pull exterior air helps a little bit, but I am not sure that I will be able to accomplish this. If I am able to it will be a pretty long run which I am afraid will impact the skimmerâ€™s performance negatively. Any ideas??

Thanks,
Phil

stingythingy45 · 12/10/2008, 02:57 PM

Ph generally is low in the morning after the lights have been off.And is highest at the end of the lighting period.
You could look into setting up a refugium packed with chaeto on a reverse lighting cycle.I did this and it's been one of my better improvements.

Michael · 12/10/2008, 03:02 PM

fresh air can help, ive been battling low ph myself lately and after reading some threads decided to get some fresh air to the tank, it works, just a thought

reefworm · 12/10/2008, 03:04 PM

This article from Randy is very helpful in understanding the relationship between them
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-05/rhf/index.php

mg426 · 12/10/2008, 05:18 PM

Fresh air !!!!

Playa-1 · 12/10/2008, 05:57 PM

Fresh air would be the best bet, Extend the air line to the skimmer to the gr8 outdoors or a place that gets fresh air. A lighted fuge on a reverse lighting or 24 hr lighting schedule helps at night when the ph is normally a little lower. Once you get your water parameters straightened out you could consider using a Kalk drip to maintain your Calcium and Alkalinity. The Kalk would also help to maintain a higher PH reading.

If your PH is not dropping below 7.85 then you don't really need to worry about it. If it's dropping lower in the middle of the night then you should take action to deal with it.

12/10/2008, 02:04 PM	#1
PhilipOSU Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Canton, OH Posts: 559	Raising PH w/o raising ALK... I had been trying to pull up my PH by dosing/topping off with Kalk and was able to keep it in the 8.1 area, but that slowly pushed my ALK up to 13DKH. So I obviously cut that out. My PH is currently reading at 7.85 and haven't checked the ALK for about a week, but haven't done anything to the tank that would bring it up (I'm at work now of I would check it). I know that increasing the oxygenation of the water will accomplish this so I tried a week ago to run a couple of airstones in sump but that has had little to no effect. I have heard running the airline to the skimmer to pull exterior air helps a little bit, but I am not sure that I will be able to accomplish this. If I am able to it will be a pretty long run which I am afraid will impact the skimmerâ€™s performance negatively. Any ideas?? Thanks, Phil

12/10/2008, 02:57 PM	#2
stingythingy45 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: MA Posts: 3,296	Ph generally is low in the morning after the lights have been off.And is highest at the end of the lighting period. You could look into setting up a refugium packed with chaeto on a reverse lighting cycle.I did this and it's been one of my better improvements. __________________ Bob Current Tank Info: 90 gallon,mixed Reef,2-250 watt Optix 3 pendants(Phoenix 14K)2-54 watt T5 Super actnics ,ASM G-2 Gate/recirc mods,70 gal. basement sump,20L ref

12/10/2008, 03:02 PM	#3
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	fresh air can help, ive been battling low ph myself lately and after reading some threads decided to get some fresh air to the tank, it works, just a thought __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

12/10/2008, 03:04 PM	#4
reefworm Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Waxhaw, NC USA Posts: 2,139	This article from Randy is very helpful in understanding the relationship between them http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-05/rhf/index.php __________________ "The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter." - Thomas Jefferson Current Tank Info: 29 gal. reef/assist with 75 gal. at the school

12/10/2008, 05:18 PM	#5
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	Fresh air !!!! __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

12/10/2008, 05:57 PM	#6
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	Fresh air would be the best bet, Extend the air line to the skimmer to the gr8 outdoors or a place that gets fresh air. A lighted fuge on a reverse lighting or 24 hr lighting schedule helps at night when the ph is normally a little lower. Once you get your water parameters straightened out you could consider using a Kalk drip to maintain your Calcium and Alkalinity. The Kalk would also help to maintain a higher PH reading. If your PH is not dropping below 7.85 then you don't really need to worry about it. If it's dropping lower in the middle of the night then you should take action to deal with it.