How do you raise low PH?

dpsa98 · 08/27/2006, 01:29 PM

My PH is at 7.9 and I would like to raise it to around 8.2 and im not sure of a safe way to do it in a reef tank.

My other water conditions are:
Temp 80*
Salinity 1.024
Calcium 450
KH 9.6
Amonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0

I have this stuff called (PH 8.2) that you mix with water then add to the sump or tank and it says it raises the PH but im not sure if I should use this product or not. I was thinking if my KH was low I could use the kent superbuffer to help raise the PH but my KH is right where it should be, I think.

My wife told me that you almost need a degree in Chemistry to keep a reef tank.

GlobaLPimP · 08/27/2006, 01:35 PM

Nah, no degree needed

I'm not really one for using buffers. Have you tried the airstone test - take a bucket of water outside and put an airstone in it (pluged into an air pump

) and check the PH in about 30 minutes. If it's higher than it is in your tank then you don't have enough oxygen in your house to support the propper PH in your tank. (That's what happened to me) I just took about 15 feet of air tubing and attached it to my skimmer air input and then drilled a hole through the wall and ran the air tube outside - PROBLEM SOLVED

If the airstone test reads the same as your tank, you can point a powerhead so that you get a lot of movement on the top of your tank for better gas exchange. If that doesn't work then I guess you shall have to use the buffer. Good luck!

sir_dudeguy · 08/27/2006, 01:40 PM

try to get proper gas exchange...you need good surface agitation for that. Just point a powerhead towards the surface. Also, if you've got any glass covers, or something else that isnt allowing gas exchange...try removing it.

TOURKID · 08/27/2006, 01:40 PM

I use the kent superbuffer for alk or ph when either one is low. but your calcium is a bit high. Im guessing if you let that fall to about 400 your ph will even out

I feel really stupid when it comes to alk and ph. but my fav go to guy tried to explain it to me this way...

Theres a triangle. each point represents calcium, ph, and alk.

When one go's wrong, the triangle becomes ascew and somthing else is going to become wacked as well. Id stop adding calcium for 2 days and retest all three. You might find your ph raising as your calcium lowers

aiko670 · 08/27/2006, 01:41 PM

1st what are you using to test the PH?

Second you can do a slow kalkwasser drip to bring it up. I probaly wouldn't use that buffer unless you know what's in it.

dpsa98 · 08/27/2006, 02:04 PM

I have a Salifert PH test kit that I use. I appreciate all of your input. First I will face a powerhead towards the top and let my calcium drop to 400. If that does not work I will try the airstone test. I have never heard of not enough oxygen in your house. How did you figure out that that was the problem?

James77 · 08/27/2006, 02:12 PM

It is the excess carbon dioxide that causes the lower pH.

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

GlobaLPimP · 08/27/2006, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dpsa98
I have a Salifert PH test kit that I use. I appreciate all of your input. First I will face a powerhead towards the top and let my calcium drop to 400. If that does not work I will try the airstone test. I have never heard of not enough oxygen in your house. How did you figure out that that was the problem?

It's actually a common problem - if your house is closed up most of the time like mine is (It's hot in Florida and I always have my airconditioner on) the only time fresh air comes in is when someone opens the door to come in or go out. This creats a build up of Carbon Dioxide, which means less oxygen.

The airstone test will be the fastest way to know if that's your problem - just DO it

08/27/2006, 01:29 PM	#1
dpsa98 Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Fallon,Nv Posts: 234	How do you raise low PH? My PH is at 7.9 and I would like to raise it to around 8.2 and im not sure of a safe way to do it in a reef tank. My other water conditions are: Temp 80* Salinity 1.024 Calcium 450 KH 9.6 Amonia 0 Nitrite 0 Nitrate 0 I have this stuff called (PH 8.2) that you mix with water then add to the sump or tank and it says it raises the PH but im not sure if I should use this product or not. I was thinking if my KH was low I could use the kent superbuffer to help raise the PH but my KH is right where it should be, I think. My wife told me that you almost need a degree in Chemistry to keep a reef tank.

08/27/2006, 01:35 PM	#2
GlobaLPimP Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Palm Harbor, Florida Posts: 911	Nah, no degree needed I'm not really one for using buffers. Have you tried the airstone test - take a bucket of water outside and put an airstone in it (pluged into an air pump ) and check the PH in about 30 minutes. If it's higher than it is in your tank then you don't have enough oxygen in your house to support the propper PH in your tank. (That's what happened to me) I just took about 15 feet of air tubing and attached it to my skimmer air input and then drilled a hole through the wall and ran the air tube outside - PROBLEM SOLVED If the airstone test reads the same as your tank, you can point a powerhead so that you get a lot of movement on the top of your tank for better gas exchange. If that doesn't work then I guess you shall have to use the buffer. Good luck! __________________ This hobby is educational; it teaches you how to spend a lot of money in a hurry! Current Tank Info: 75gl, SPS, LPS, IceCap/T5/SLR, 2 modded Tunze 6045's, PCI 350 skimmer w/ Gen-X 2400, 95lbs LR, GEN-X 4100 return

08/27/2006, 01:40 PM	#3
sir_dudeguy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 10,841	try to get proper gas exchange...you need good surface agitation for that. Just point a powerhead towards the surface. Also, if you've got any glass covers, or something else that isnt allowing gas exchange...try removing it. __________________ TAKE...LUCK!!!

08/27/2006, 01:40 PM	#4
TOURKID Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Vegas baby, Vegas Posts: 4,371	I use the kent superbuffer for alk or ph when either one is low. but your calcium is a bit high. Im guessing if you let that fall to about 400 your ph will even out I feel really stupid when it comes to alk and ph. but my fav go to guy tried to explain it to me this way... Theres a triangle. each point represents calcium, ph, and alk. When one go's wrong, the triangle becomes ascew and somthing else is going to become wacked as well. Id stop adding calcium for 2 days and retest all three. You might find your ph raising as your calcium lowers __________________ RISK more than others think is safe CARE more than others think is wise DREAM more than others think is practical EXPECT more than others think is possible Current Tank Info: nada

08/27/2006, 02:12 PM	#7
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	It is the excess carbon dioxide that causes the lower pH. http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.php __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

08/27/2006, 01:41 PM	#5
aiko670 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Deerfield, IL Posts: 5,409	1st what are you using to test the PH? Second you can do a slow kalkwasser drip to bring it up. I probaly wouldn't use that buffer unless you know what's in it.

08/27/2006, 02:04 PM	#6
dpsa98 Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Fallon,Nv Posts: 234	I have a Salifert PH test kit that I use. I appreciate all of your input. First I will face a powerhead towards the top and let my calcium drop to 400. If that does not work I will try the airstone test. I have never heard of not enough oxygen in your house. How did you figure out that that was the problem?