ph is too high?

mlaper · 09/19/2008, 11:19 AM

i recently knowticed that some of my corals have stopped opening up, like my frogspawn, and mushrooms mainly. i tested my water and knowticed my ph is way too high, its at around 8.8 or higher. not sure what has caused this. i have always had problems keeping my ph up so i was adding a kent marine ph balancer but it says it will never raise it above 8.3 and i did always follow the recomended amount. im a bit confused here. my tank size is 90 gal with a megaflow 3 sump and a small 10 gal fuge. i have 2x250 watt metal halides and a uv sterilizer and some carbon ran once or twice a month, plus the normal filter material replaced weekly in the trickle filter. my tank has been set up now for over a year so its pretty matured water. havnt had much for problems up until now,apart from the nitrates lingering arond 20ppm. anyways, a little help figuring out the problem would be greatly apreciated, and also if there is any ways that i can lower the ph. i havnt been able to find much on lowering ph for saltwater aquariums, people seem to have more problems keeping ph up.
thanks ,
matt

rogergolf66 · 09/19/2008, 11:29 AM

co2 will lower your ph, but I would just let it lower on its own, or do a water change. I don't know the product that you used but I would be more carefull adding anything to your tank always monitor your tank closely when adding unknow stuff.

Roger

mlaper · 09/19/2008, 11:41 AM

i've done two water changes the past couple weekands and it doesnt seem to want to lower much. how would i go about using co2?

k.tran · 09/19/2008, 11:42 AM

what are you using to test your PH?

RBU1 · 09/19/2008, 11:46 AM

Same question as above. If you are using a PH probe make sure it is calibrated.

spacepirate · 09/19/2008, 11:50 AM

acid... but yeah I wouldnt know what to add in there.

If I were you i'd do some water changes, asap but I'm also a total noob as well.

Maybe it's winter and now your doors are open to the house and all the CO2 escaped?

Michael · 09/19/2008, 11:51 AM

your ph isnt 8.8, thats testing error or a wrong reading, obviously with 2 years experience im not trying to imply you dont know how to test, please forgive me if i sound blunt, as above also why not check out your probe if using 1 or buy another test kit, the other thing is not to add any buffer to raise it until it has dropped a little , it may be slightly high but unlikely to be 8.8, hope all goes well for you anyhow, the best of luck

Michael · 09/19/2008, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by spacepirate
acid... but yeah I wouldnt know what to add in there.

If I were you i'd do some water changes, asap but I'm also a total noob as well.

Maybe it's winter and now your doors are open to the house and all the CO2 escaped?

with respect buddy

dont post if your not sure, your totally wrong with your comments there friend

dont be offended but having the doors open is not an issue

mlaper · 09/19/2008, 12:09 PM

ok well i use api liquid test for my test kit, and also tried a dip stick test kit, i've tested all these on several ocasions and they all say around 8.8. i've changed the water twice and knowticed a small difference. but still high. i would invest in a ph probe but i have to wait until i can afford it(getting married in two weeks...very expensive). maybe i'll try sending some test water in to be tested. any suggestions where? thanks

Michael · 09/19/2008, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mlaper
ok well i use api liquid test for my test kit, and also tried a dip stick test kit, i've tested all these on several ocasions and they all say around 8.8. i've changed the water twice and knowticed a small difference. but still high. i would invest in a ph probe but i have to wait until i can afford it(getting married in two weeks...very expensive). maybe i'll try sending some test water in to be tested. any suggestions where? thanks

the other option of course is to pop over to the chemistry forum to get reassurance from randy, boomer and billy beau they will be able to help a bit more as they are very experienced reefers with superb knowledge, try posting a question on there

weluvfish54 · 09/19/2008, 12:24 PM

same exact situation happened to me...
mine still reading about 8.8...
i do water changes weekly as well..
going to buy a new test kit and try that, how do you go about adding c02?

rogergolf66 · 09/19/2008, 12:25 PM

well if you get 8.8 all the time that is odd. your PH will swing throught the day. if you don't get it figured out today test just before you lights come on tomorrow. if you read 8.8 again I will agree 100% you have bad test kits.

you PH will be high if your alk. is high. what is your alk? also if your alk is really high your cal will be very low.

I also agree post in the chem forum.

Roger

Michael · 09/19/2008, 12:26 PM

well have a look at randys opinions on high ph fellows here it is

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-03/rhf/index.php

weluvfish54 · 09/19/2008, 12:38 PM

well i read through that, apparently too little co2 is the cause. adding soda water helps but i want to know how to have a constant sufficient supply of co2?

rogergolf66 · 09/19/2008, 12:38 PM

adding CO2 is done with a CO2 tank and a regulator. normally the CO2 is run through cal reactor fist to melt the calcium media first.

the regulator controlls the drip rate into the tank.

mlaper · 09/19/2008, 01:59 PM

thanks for the advice i'll have to check into it a little more. i'll try the chem forum.

weluvfish54 · 09/19/2008, 02:32 PM

hmm i do not have a ca reactor since i dont have stonies...
alot of money just for some co2..
so i put some airline hose in the tank and blew in it for a while.
my PH is now very low lol..
not sure if its because i blew co2 into the tank or not because i tested the PH after.
will keep updated

sorry for thread hijack!

Randy Holmes-Farley · 09/19/2008, 02:41 PM

Unless you are adding limewater, a pH of 8.8 is almost certainly measurement error. pH NEVER gets too high in a normal reef tank without adding high pH additives.

rogergolf66 · 09/19/2008, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by weluvfish54
hmm i do not have a ca reactor since i dont have stonies...
alot of money just for some co2..
so i put some airline hose in the tank and blew in it for a while.
my PH is now very low lol..
not sure if its because i blew co2 into the tank or not because i tested the PH after.
will keep updated sorry for thread hijack!

I would be care full with that. that dosn't sound to safe to me!!!

Roger

weluvfish54 · 09/19/2008, 02:53 PM

roger, what doesnt sound safe? as the article said, blow in the skimmer inlet.

rogergolf66 · 09/19/2008, 07:22 PM

well the problem to me is you are not able to control how much is going in. normally you are talking 30-60 bubble a min into a reactor so blowing it in is alot at one time. just remember in this hobby if it happens fast it is not good. you don't want to lower ph that quick.

Roger

weluvfish54 · 09/19/2008, 07:43 PM

yeah i guess thats true. just if randy said to blow into the skimmer inlet i dont see how much different blowing directly into the tank is..the ph imo might have already been pretty low before i blew into it. anyhow, everything is doing fine as of now...thanks guys.

Haksar · 09/20/2008, 07:27 AM

I was having this issue couple of days but found that my ph probe was not properly calibrated.earlier it used to read between 8.7- 8.9 now its reads 7.9-8.1.

09/19/2008, 11:19 AM	#1
mlaper Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 16	ph is too high? i recently knowticed that some of my corals have stopped opening up, like my frogspawn, and mushrooms mainly. i tested my water and knowticed my ph is way too high, its at around 8.8 or higher. not sure what has caused this. i have always had problems keeping my ph up so i was adding a kent marine ph balancer but it says it will never raise it above 8.3 and i did always follow the recomended amount. im a bit confused here. my tank size is 90 gal with a megaflow 3 sump and a small 10 gal fuge. i have 2x250 watt metal halides and a uv sterilizer and some carbon ran once or twice a month, plus the normal filter material replaced weekly in the trickle filter. my tank has been set up now for over a year so its pretty matured water. havnt had much for problems up until now,apart from the nitrates lingering arond 20ppm. anyways, a little help figuring out the problem would be greatly apreciated, and also if there is any ways that i can lower the ph. i havnt been able to find much on lowering ph for saltwater aquariums, people seem to have more problems keeping ph up. thanks , matt

09/19/2008, 11:29 AM	#2
rogergolf66 im an addict lol Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Land o lakes, FLorida Posts: 12,930	co2 will lower your ph, but I would just let it lower on its own, or do a water change. I don't know the product that you used but I would be more carefull adding anything to your tank always monitor your tank closely when adding unknow stuff. Roger __________________ Goal levels: salinity 35ppt, temp 78-79, alk 8-9, cal 430-450, mag 1310-1400 po4 .03, no3 1-3 Current Tank Info: System 1... 100 gal Zoa tank I built, 30 gal Ric Yuma shroom tank, 30 gal mix tank my sons,40 gal softie tank, 40 gal nem tank, two 40 gal LPS tank. System 2... 240 gal SPS display attached 100 gal frag SPS only tank.

09/19/2008, 11:42 AM	#4
k.tran Un-Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Yorba Linda, CA Posts: 1,227	what are you using to test your PH? __________________ - Kelvin

09/19/2008, 11:51 AM	#7
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	your ph isnt 8.8, thats testing error or a wrong reading, obviously with 2 years experience im not trying to imply you dont know how to test, please forgive me if i sound blunt, as above also why not check out your probe if using 1 or buy another test kit, the other thing is not to add any buffer to raise it until it has dropped a little , it may be slightly high but unlikely to be 8.8, hope all goes well for you anyhow, the best of luck __________________ 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)

09/19/2008, 12:25 PM	#12
rogergolf66 im an addict lol Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Land o lakes, FLorida Posts: 12,930	well if you get 8.8 all the time that is odd. your PH will swing throught the day. if you don't get it figured out today test just before you lights come on tomorrow. if you read 8.8 again I will agree 100% you have bad test kits. you PH will be high if your alk. is high. what is your alk? also if your alk is really high your cal will be very low. I also agree post in the chem forum. Roger __________________ Goal levels: salinity 35ppt, temp 78-79, alk 8-9, cal 430-450, mag 1310-1400 po4 .03, no3 1-3 Current Tank Info: System 1... 100 gal Zoa tank I built, 30 gal Ric Yuma shroom tank, 30 gal mix tank my sons,40 gal softie tank, 40 gal nem tank, two 40 gal LPS tank. System 2... 240 gal SPS display attached 100 gal frag SPS only tank.

09/19/2008, 11:41 AM	#3
mlaper Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 16	i've done two water changes the past couple weekands and it doesnt seem to want to lower much. how would i go about using co2?

09/19/2008, 11:46 AM	#5
RBU1 Moving on Up Join Date: May 2004 Location: Southern NJ Posts: 5,167	Same question as above. If you are using a PH probe make sure it is calibrated.

09/19/2008, 11:50 AM	#6
spacepirate Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: austin tx Posts: 26	acid... but yeah I wouldnt know what to add in there. If I were you i'd do some water changes, asap but I'm also a total noob as well. Maybe it's winter and now your doors are open to the house and all the CO2 escaped?

09/19/2008, 12:09 PM	#9
mlaper Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 16	ok well i use api liquid test for my test kit, and also tried a dip stick test kit, i've tested all these on several ocasions and they all say around 8.8. i've changed the water twice and knowticed a small difference. but still high. i would invest in a ph probe but i have to wait until i can afford it(getting married in two weeks...very expensive). maybe i'll try sending some test water in to be tested. any suggestions where? thanks

09/19/2008, 12:24 PM	#11
weluvfish54 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: inland empire Posts: 771	same exact situation happened to me... mine still reading about 8.8... i do water changes weekly as well.. going to buy a new test kit and try that, how do you go about adding c02?

09/19/2008, 12:26 PM	#13
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	well have a look at randys opinions on high ph fellows here it is http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-03/rhf/index.php __________________ 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)

09/19/2008, 12:38 PM	#14
weluvfish54 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: inland empire Posts: 771	well i read through that, apparently too little co2 is the cause. adding soda water helps but i want to know how to have a constant sufficient supply of co2?

09/19/2008, 01:59 PM	#16
mlaper Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 16	thanks for the advice i'll have to check into it a little more. i'll try the chem forum.

09/19/2008, 02:32 PM	#17
weluvfish54 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: inland empire Posts: 771	hmm i do not have a ca reactor since i dont have stonies... alot of money just for some co2.. so i put some airline hose in the tank and blew in it for a while. my PH is now very low lol.. not sure if its because i blew co2 into the tank or not because i tested the PH after. will keep updated sorry for thread hijack!

09/19/2008, 02:41 PM	#18
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	Unless you are adding limewater, a pH of 8.8 is almost certainly measurement error. pH NEVER gets too high in a normal reef tank without adding high pH additives. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

09/19/2008, 02:53 PM	#20
weluvfish54 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: inland empire Posts: 771	roger, what doesnt sound safe? as the article said, blow in the skimmer inlet.

09/19/2008, 07:22 PM	#21
rogergolf66 im an addict lol Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Land o lakes, FLorida Posts: 12,930	well the problem to me is you are not able to control how much is going in. normally you are talking 30-60 bubble a min into a reactor so blowing it in is alot at one time. just remember in this hobby if it happens fast it is not good. you don't want to lower ph that quick. Roger __________________ Goal levels: salinity 35ppt, temp 78-79, alk 8-9, cal 430-450, mag 1310-1400 po4 .03, no3 1-3 Current Tank Info: System 1... 100 gal Zoa tank I built, 30 gal Ric Yuma shroom tank, 30 gal mix tank my sons,40 gal softie tank, 40 gal nem tank, two 40 gal LPS tank. System 2... 240 gal SPS display attached 100 gal frag SPS only tank.

09/19/2008, 07:43 PM	#22
weluvfish54 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: inland empire Posts: 771	yeah i guess thats true. just if randy said to blow into the skimmer inlet i dont see how much different blowing directly into the tank is..the ph imo might have already been pretty low before i blew into it. anyhow, everything is doing fine as of now...thanks guys.

09/20/2008, 07:27 AM	#23
Haksar Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dubai Posts: 1,041	I was having this issue couple of days but found that my ph probe was not properly calibrated.earlier it used to read between 8.7- 8.9 now its reads 7.9-8.1. __________________ Haksar