Lowering PH - Seltzer water, tonic water, and soda water. Which?

Arkayne · 07/13/2007, 10:44 AM

My Ph is up and I want to lower it with a carbonated waters. The liquor store that I went to didn't have 'seltzer' water but had tonic and soda water. What's the difference?

drummereef · 07/13/2007, 10:48 AM

Couple of questions....

1. What is your pH measuring exactly?
2. How are you measuring pH, test kit or meter?

Amazing pic! Safe range for pH is 7.8-8.5. If you are truly above 8.5, without testing error, read this.

High pH: Causes and Cures
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-03/rhf/index.htm

Arkayne · 07/13/2007, 10:53 AM

1. What is your pH measuring exactly?

Exactly is hard to tell. 8.7-8.8

2. How are you measuring pH, test kit or meter?

Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Saltwater Test Kit

I got around to testing it minutes after the lights went out. According to that page, the Ph changes throughout the day and is highest at the end of the light cycle:

"The net effect of these processes is that pH rises during the day and drops at night in most reef aquaria. This change varies from less than a tenth of a pH unit, to more than 0.5 pH units in typical aquaria. Complete aeration of the aquarium water will prevent the diurnal pH swing entirely, by driving out any excess carbon dioxide or absorbing excess carbon dioxide when deficient. In practice this goal is not often attained, and the pH does change between day and night."

could that be why I'm testing so high? I'll keep reading.

kevin2000 · 07/13/2007, 10:54 AM

Soda water will work fine - however unless you have overdosed with Kalkwasser odds are good that you don't need to do anything. As drummereef has indicated PH has a wide tolerance range.

drummereef · 07/13/2007, 10:54 AM

Ok, thanks. Colormetric test kits are usually hard to read and somewhat faulty. If you can get your hands on a calibrated pH meter that would really help. If your inhabitants are looking fine then I suspect a testing error.

Arkayne · 07/13/2007, 11:00 AM

My reef community seems happy, healthy, and hungry. I bet it's operator error so I'll do it a couple more times when I get home.

So soda water works? Good! I bought a bottle and didn't want to add it until I got confirmation from you guys. thx!

XSiVE · 07/13/2007, 11:00 AM

"Sparkling water" is probably the best choice, as it is ONLY water and CO2.

Soda water usually has some sodium, maybe a few other things that arent really harmful, but its more than just water.

Tonic is the same, but usually contains Quinine for flavoring

Seltzer water may or may not have sugars in it.

07/13/2007, 10:44 AM	#1
Arkayne Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 57	Lowering PH - Seltzer water, tonic water, and soda water. Which? My Ph is up and I want to lower it with a carbonated waters. The liquor store that I went to didn't have 'seltzer' water but had tonic and soda water. What's the difference?

07/13/2007, 10:48 AM	#2
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	Couple of questions.... 1. What is your pH measuring exactly? 2. How are you measuring pH, test kit or meter? Amazing pic! Safe range for pH is 7.8-8.5. If you are truly above 8.5, without testing error, read this. High pH: Causes and Cures http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-03/rhf/index.htm __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

07/13/2007, 10:54 AM	#5
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	Ok, thanks. Colormetric test kits are usually hard to read and somewhat faulty. If you can get your hands on a calibrated pH meter that would really help. If your inhabitants are looking fine then I suspect a testing error. __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

07/13/2007, 10:53 AM	#3
Arkayne Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 57	1. What is your pH measuring exactly? Exactly is hard to tell. 8.7-8.8 2. How are you measuring pH, test kit or meter? Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Saltwater Test Kit I got around to testing it minutes after the lights went out. According to that page, the Ph changes throughout the day and is highest at the end of the light cycle: "The net effect of these processes is that pH rises during the day and drops at night in most reef aquaria. This change varies from less than a tenth of a pH unit, to more than 0.5 pH units in typical aquaria. Complete aeration of the aquarium water will prevent the diurnal pH swing entirely, by driving out any excess carbon dioxide or absorbing excess carbon dioxide when deficient. In practice this goal is not often attained, and the pH does change between day and night." could that be why I'm testing so high? I'll keep reading.

07/13/2007, 10:54 AM	#4
kevin2000 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,805	Soda water will work fine - however unless you have overdosed with Kalkwasser odds are good that you don't need to do anything. As drummereef has indicated PH has a wide tolerance range.

07/13/2007, 11:00 AM	#6
Arkayne Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 57	My reef community seems happy, healthy, and hungry. I bet it's operator error so I'll do it a couple more times when I get home. So soda water works? Good! I bought a bottle and didn't want to add it until I got confirmation from you guys. thx!

07/13/2007, 11:00 AM	#7
XSiVE Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Waterford, MI Posts: 790	"Sparkling water" is probably the best choice, as it is ONLY water and CO2. Soda water usually has some sodium, maybe a few other things that arent really harmful, but its more than just water. Tonic is the same, but usually contains Quinine for flavoring Seltzer water may or may not have sugars in it.