need help lowering ph

bowhunter42 · 04/01/2011, 12:22 PM

someone please help me figure this out ??
i have a mixed 125 reef , my ph stays consistent at 8.5 / 8.6 at night and 8.6 /8.7 during the day ? i dose straight baking soda for alk. and calcium chloride for calcium.
levels are :
dkh. 9
calcium 445 / 450
temp 80.2
salinity 1.024
nitrates 0
nitrites 0
amonia 0
phos. 0.6
magnesium is high because i overdosed and its 1500
is there anything i can use or do differant to maintain a lower ph ?

Chris27 · 04/01/2011, 01:39 PM

When you dose the baking soda, does your pH temporarily go down? If not, I would suspect a problem with your test kit or monitor.

bowhunter42 · 04/01/2011, 01:51 PM

I have a brand new milwaukee oh moniter , i have my doser on a programed pump , every 7 hours for 50 sec. And my probe is in my sump and the dosing goes into the fuge because my calcium dosing goes into the sump, ? So really not sure , i have seen the pump dosing and if i move the probe over to the fuge you can see it move , i calibrated it according to the manual and a pack of ph4 and ph7 , let sit in my sump for an hour to reach same temp. ?

Randy Holmes-Farley · 04/01/2011, 02:12 PM

I expect it is pH measurement error. But if real, and the alk is really 9 dKH and not lots higher, aeration will lower the pH. pH is almost NEVER too high in the absence of limewater usage.

This has more:

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

from it:

Considerations Prior to Solving pH Problems

The following sections provide specific advice on how to go about solving a high pH problem. The advice can also be used to adjust the pH levels closer to natural values even if they are already within the "acceptable" range described above, but are still not as low as desired. Before embarking on a pH altering strategy, however, here are some general concerns.

Make sure that there really is a pH problem. Many apparent pH problems are really measurement problems rather than real aquarium problems. This issue seems to be especially common when the aquarist is using pH test kits, rather than electronic measurement with a pH meter, but all methods can and do go wrong. Avoid turning a good situation into a bad one simply because a pH meter was not properly calibrated. Also, when not adding limewater or other high-pH additives, a pH reading above pH 8.5 is most likely an error.

Consequently, be sure to verify the pH reading before taking any but the most benign measures. Here are several articles that are worth reading on pH measurement to help ensure that the readings you are seeing are accurate:

Measuring pH with a Meter

A Comparison of pH Calibration Buffers

A pH calibration or verification fluid using grocery store borax.

Also, try to determine why there is a pH problem before enacting a band-aid solution. For example, if the problem of high pH is due to excessive use of limewater, then perhaps using less limewater is the simplest solution.

bowhunter42 · 04/01/2011, 02:47 PM

Ok , i will double check my meter and re calibrate , but here is a dumb question , on the packets of calibration fluid there is a temperature chart , if i have these packets in my sump to get to the same temp as the tank , i calibrate them according to the scale correct ? Ie: Temp at 79.8 calibrate to 4.8 , so on and so forth correct ? Or do i simply calibrate to the packets of ph4 and ph7 , i followed the temp. Chart on the front

Justdrew · 04/01/2011, 06:08 PM

You should be using 7 and 10 for calibration. Bracket around what you are trying to measure for more accurate results.

bowhunter42 · 04/02/2011, 06:57 AM

Ok i will get new calibration packets today , but my question is , do i calibrate my meter to 7.0 and 10.0 or let them sit in the sump until they get to the same temp. As the tank then calibrate according to the front of the pack that has a scale ?

04/01/2011, 12:22 PM	#1
bowhunter42 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 91	need help lowering ph someone please help me figure this out ?? i have a mixed 125 reef , my ph stays consistent at 8.5 / 8.6 at night and 8.6 /8.7 during the day ? i dose straight baking soda for alk. and calcium chloride for calcium. levels are : dkh. 9 calcium 445 / 450 temp 80.2 salinity 1.024 nitrates 0 nitrites 0 amonia 0 phos. 0.6 magnesium is high because i overdosed and its 1500 is there anything i can use or do differant to maintain a lower ph ?

04/01/2011, 01:39 PM	#2
Chris27 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 4,452	When you dose the baking soda, does your pH temporarily go down? If not, I would suspect a problem with your test kit or monitor. __________________ Fill your tank with $5 bills, add gasoline and light it on fire.....only then will you know the real cost of reefing. Current Tank Info: 180 Mixed Reef

04/01/2011, 02:12 PM	#4
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	I expect it is pH measurement error. But if real, and the alk is really 9 dKH and not lots higher, aeration will lower the pH. pH is almost NEVER too high in the absence of limewater usage. This has more: High pH: Causes and Cures http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-03/rhf/index.htm from it: Considerations Prior to Solving pH Problems The following sections provide specific advice on how to go about solving a high pH problem. The advice can also be used to adjust the pH levels closer to natural values even if they are already within the "acceptable" range described above, but are still not as low as desired. Before embarking on a pH altering strategy, however, here are some general concerns. Make sure that there really is a pH problem. Many apparent pH problems are really measurement problems rather than real aquarium problems. This issue seems to be especially common when the aquarist is using pH test kits, rather than electronic measurement with a pH meter, but all methods can and do go wrong. Avoid turning a good situation into a bad one simply because a pH meter was not properly calibrated. Also, when not adding limewater or other high-pH additives, a pH reading above pH 8.5 is most likely an error. Consequently, be sure to verify the pH reading before taking any but the most benign measures. Here are several articles that are worth reading on pH measurement to help ensure that the readings you are seeing are accurate: Measuring pH with a Meter A Comparison of pH Calibration Buffers A pH calibration or verification fluid using grocery store borax. Also, try to determine why there is a pH problem before enacting a band-aid solution. For example, if the problem of high pH is due to excessive use of limewater, then perhaps using less limewater is the simplest solution. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

04/01/2011, 06:08 PM	#6
Justdrew Dad with Triplets! Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 583	You should be using 7 and 10 for calibration. Bracket around what you are trying to measure for more accurate results. __________________ "As Far As You Know!" -Fletch Current Tank Info: 40 Breeder, 2X Radion XR15W, Vortech MP40 & MP10, Simplicity Aquatics 240DC Skimmer, Apex Controlled

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Kalk reactor malfuntion! Need to lower PH fast? Help.	sonofgaladriel	Large Reef Tanks	16	03/22/2006 11:27 AM
add distilled vinegar to lower ph..need advice	johnvu713	Reef Discussion	6	02/07/2006 05:09 PM
Lowering PH	Chumpo	Reef Discussion	2	01/29/2006 11:03 PM
RowaPhos lowers Ph	dufferdan	The Reef Chemistry Forum	17	01/19/2006 09:01 AM
How much vinegar to lower pH in tank	Flipper1	The Reef Chemistry Forum	13	01/18/2006 12:38 PM

04/01/2011, 01:51 PM	#3
bowhunter42 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 91	I have a brand new milwaukee oh moniter , i have my doser on a programed pump , every 7 hours for 50 sec. And my probe is in my sump and the dosing goes into the fuge because my calcium dosing goes into the sump, ? So really not sure , i have seen the pump dosing and if i move the probe over to the fuge you can see it move , i calibrated it according to the manual and a pack of ph4 and ph7 , let sit in my sump for an hour to reach same temp. ?

04/01/2011, 02:47 PM	#5
bowhunter42 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 91	Ok , i will double check my meter and re calibrate , but here is a dumb question , on the packets of calibration fluid there is a temperature chart , if i have these packets in my sump to get to the same temp as the tank , i calibrate them according to the scale correct ? Ie: Temp at 79.8 calibrate to 4.8 , so on and so forth correct ? Or do i simply calibrate to the packets of ph4 and ph7 , i followed the temp. Chart on the front

04/02/2011, 06:57 AM	#7
bowhunter42 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 91	Ok i will get new calibration packets today , but my question is , do i calibrate my meter to 7.0 and 10.0 or let them sit in the sump until they get to the same temp. As the tank then calibrate according to the front of the pack that has a scale ?