PH question

[newhere]

I am wondering how everyone controls their ph. What type of chemicals and how often you use them.

[PatMayo]

Ph is something that is really only helped not controlled. I will give you some good articles to read.

I only dose Alkalinity, Calcium and magnesium. I use Randys 2 part number 1 formula which will raise ph.

So with that being said read the articles and then spend some time in the chemistry forum to become an expert. PH is one of the most vexing and most difficult thing for most poeple to manage.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.php

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

Making sure your water is as saturated with oxygen is one way to raise ph.

Anyway, Have fun. Read read read. It's the best way to learn.

Regards,

Pat

[Fast Fred]

If everything else is right, pH takes care of itself.

[mg426]

Once again I agree with Pat. You buffer your system to maintain alk and calcium. Whatever rise or fall you get with whatever you are using is all that you can get with additives. Trying to acheive a certain target PH with buffers is iffy. You can add enough buffer to raise your alk to 11 DKH. Your ph will rise also but do not add more buffer to try and push your ph higher. If you have reached the safe upper limit of alk 11 DKH and your PH is still running low, you have to look into co2 reduction in your system. Do read the articles mentioned and it will become clear as to what is being said. I also use Randys two part (home made recipe 1 )

[newhere]

Thanks for the replies. I got a few pages read. This brings me to another question. Is it easier to get good ph in a larger tank? Also one suggestion is to use an airstone to raise the ph. Will my protein skimmer act as the airstone and help raise the ph. Last time I tested my ph it was 7.85 without the skimmer. I will be testing everything again on Tuesday.

[bertoni]

The skimmer will help raise pH if there is excess CO2 in the water. If not, the skimmer won't change pH much. An airstone would just be an inferior version of a skimmer.

If the pH runs low, you could consider shifting to a high-pH supplement like limewater, after being sure that alkalinity is okay and the pH test kit is working properly.

[newhere]

That’s what I was thinking about the skimmer. Is there any good way to test for CO2 in the water other than ph level before and after aeration? I am lucky enough to have top of the line ph meters at work, so I am sure about the ph. The rest I am going to have tested at the LFS.

[bertoni]

No, the aeration test is about it. I've never heard of a CO2 test kit that actually works in saltwater. Some are supposedly labeled for used, but don't work properly.