Can I use Kalkwasser to raise pH?

Chris918 · 04/08/2018, 08:32 PM

Can I add kalkwasser to my auto top off to increase my pH? I can't get the pH above 7.8 and I haven't been able to do so on any tank I've ever had in my home. I simply have too much CO2 in my home and it's always too hot or too cold to open the windows. My tank isn't near an outside wall so I can't get fresh air to my skimmer either.

I use Red Sea foundation to dose Calcium, Alkalinity, and Magnesium. Can I safely dose kalkwasser or is there a better solution for my system? Thank you!

mcgyvr · 04/09/2018, 04:16 AM

A ph of 7.8 is just fine..
Don't worry about it..

RobZilla04 · 04/09/2018, 04:23 AM

Why do you want your pH above 7.8? What do you feel will benefit from a pH of 8 or 8.1?

Likely you will jack up your Alkalinity trying to chase a pH number for no reason at all. Target Alk, not pH!

Bpb · 04/09/2018, 05:07 AM

The only safe way to ever move ph upward is to address co2. Never address ph through an alkalinity buffer. It’s a shame that such products are even marketed by reputable companies. If opening windows or a fresh air line to the skimmer isn’t possible. Look into co2 scrubbing with a soda lime reactor.

I have lots of stony corals which appreciate a higher ph for growing purposes but live in a hot area with a full house. Without it my ph hangs out around 7.8 also and with the co2 scrubber I can get it elevated up at 8.3. Look at the shopmedvet dot com large container. It’ll last a while. I’ve had mine for about a year. It works well past the color shift too

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nereefpat · 04/09/2018, 05:52 PM

I guess I'll be the guy taking the other side.

Kalk replaces Ca and all, and consumes CO2 in the process.

You will have to figure out the dosing, and back off of the two-part.

jjencek · 04/09/2018, 11:54 PM

My own experience when I tried to chase Ph with Kalwasser ...

1. It looked like it worked for a while, but then it stopped working.

2. I got all my stable parameters out of wack and upset all my SPS

3. I never needed it!!! My probe was not calibrated right.

tthouston · 04/14/2018, 06:09 PM

"Bake" Baking soda can increase ph.

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ramseynb · 04/14/2018, 06:16 PM

I would only use kalk to dose a tank with low alk and calc. I don't even test pH and never really have.

Chicagoreef2016 · 04/14/2018, 06:17 PM

I have a similar pH. Tried kalk to increase my pH by putting kalkwasser in my ATO. Got a marginal increase in pH, but my ALK jumped over 1dkh relatively quickly. Nuked almost all of my SPS as a result of ALK swing. Which when I tried to correct created another mini swing (less SPS using up ALK, so needed to dose quite a bit less). I should have tested every day for ALK when I started using kalkwasser, didn't and paid the price. Too hard for me to figure out how much ALK was going into my tank with dosing 2 part, and via top off since the concentration in my top off was variable so to speak. The more I mess around in this hobby trying something "new" in my tank, the more I realize I need to leave things alone if they are going relatively well.

04/08/2018, 08:32 PM	#1
Chris918 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 174	Can I use Kalkwasser to raise pH? Can I add kalkwasser to my auto top off to increase my pH? I can't get the pH above 7.8 and I haven't been able to do so on any tank I've ever had in my home. I simply have too much CO2 in my home and it's always too hot or too cold to open the windows. My tank isn't near an outside wall so I can't get fresh air to my skimmer either. I use Red Sea foundation to dose Calcium, Alkalinity, and Magnesium. Can I safely dose kalkwasser or is there a better solution for my system? Thank you!

04/09/2018, 04:16 AM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	A ph of 7.8 is just fine.. Don't worry about it.. __________________ Who me?

04/09/2018, 04:23 AM	#3
RobZilla04 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: St. Augustine, FL Posts: 1,857	Why do you want your pH above 7.8? What do you feel will benefit from a pH of 8 or 8.1? Likely you will jack up your Alkalinity trying to chase a pH number for no reason at all. Target Alk, not pH! __________________ 90g Mixed Reef

04/09/2018, 05:52 PM	#5
nereefpat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Central Nebraska Posts: 3,190	I guess I'll be the guy taking the other side. Kalk replaces Ca and all, and consumes CO2 in the process. You will have to figure out the dosing, and back off of the two-part. __________________ Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers

04/14/2018, 06:16 PM	#8
ramseynb Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: New Braunfels, TX Posts: 630	I would only use kalk to dose a tank with low alk and calc. I don't even test pH and never really have. __________________ How do you make an octopus laugh? Ten tickles!

04/09/2018, 05:07 AM	#4
Bpb Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 3,148	The only safe way to ever move ph upward is to address co2. Never address ph through an alkalinity buffer. It’s a shame that such products are even marketed by reputable companies. If opening windows or a fresh air line to the skimmer isn’t possible. Look into co2 scrubbing with a soda lime reactor. I have lots of stony corals which appreciate a higher ph for growing purposes but live in a hot area with a full house. Without it my ph hangs out around 7.8 also and with the co2 scrubber I can get it elevated up at 8.3. Look at the shopmedvet dot com large container. It’ll last a while. I’ve had mine for about a year. It works well past the color shift too Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

04/09/2018, 11:54 PM	#6
jjencek Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Prague, Czech Republic Posts: 366	My own experience when I tried to chase Ph with Kalwasser ... 1. It looked like it worked for a while, but then it stopped working. 2. I got all my stable parameters out of wack and upset all my SPS 3. I never needed it!!! My probe was not calibrated right.

04/14/2018, 06:09 PM	#7
tthouston Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 128	"Bake" Baking soda can increase ph. Sent from my SM-N910T3 using Tapatalk

04/14/2018, 06:17 PM	#9
Chicagoreef2016 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 315	I have a similar pH. Tried kalk to increase my pH by putting kalkwasser in my ATO. Got a marginal increase in pH, but my ALK jumped over 1dkh relatively quickly. Nuked almost all of my SPS as a result of ALK swing. Which when I tried to correct created another mini swing (less SPS using up ALK, so needed to dose quite a bit less). I should have tested every day for ALK when I started using kalkwasser, didn't and paid the price. Too hard for me to figure out how much ALK was going into my tank with dosing 2 part, and via top off since the concentration in my top off was variable so to speak. The more I mess around in this hobby trying something "new" in my tank, the more I realize I need to leave things alone if they are going relatively well. __________________ 127ish gallon SC tank and associated equipment