How fast can I raise ph

Ray68 · 02/17/2016, 01:48 PM

I am using seachem marine buffer it says 1level teaspoon per 20 gal. I have a total water volume of 200 gal. So I mixed it in fresh ro/di water should I put in all at once or a little over time.

billdogg · 02/17/2016, 02:29 PM

pH really isn't of great importance and you shouldn't waste time trying to chase it. What are your numbers for Calcium, Alkalinity and Magnesium? (especially Ca amd Alk?)

Ray68 · 02/17/2016, 02:46 PM

My cal is 440 my mag is 1240 and I haven't got a alk test kit will look into getting one now

Sk8r · 02/17/2016, 02:49 PM

YOu need that very much. Shelve the ph test unless you have reason to suspect a problem with ph, like too much co2 in area.

Ray68 · 02/17/2016, 02:57 PM

I just put fan in sump area to get the air moving around. This might sound stupid but here it goes. Is a KH test the same as an Alk test or not?

Ray68 · 02/17/2016, 03:10 PM

Sorry I do have an Alk test kit
Alk 10
Cal 440
Mag 1240

hkgar · 02/17/2016, 04:31 PM

You can't raise ph, unless you decrease the amount of CO2 in the water. What is the ph? The buffer will temporarily raise ph but it will settle back down to its "comfort" level.

ghellin · 02/17/2016, 04:35 PM

mag is a little low I keep mine about 1350, but Calcium and Alk are fine. What is your pH? Is there a reason you are trying to raise it? In the cooler months with heaters running and doors and windows closed CO2 builds up in the home and reduces your aquariums pH, especially if you have a skimmer as the CO2 mixes with water to form carbonic acid which lowers the pH. Some combat this with a CO2 scrubber for their skimmer intake or they run the intake outside to draw outside air.

disc1 · 02/17/2016, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray68

I am using seachem marine buffer it says 1level teaspoon per 20 gal. I have a total water volume of 200 gal. So I mixed it in fresh ro/di water should I put in all at once or a little over time.

Don't do it. Adding that will get you a very temporary boost in pH but will also elevate your alkalinity. Keep at it and eventually the alk gets too high and you get a snowstorm. Not only that but as the alkalinity climbs it gets harder and harder to move the pH so it will take more and more buffer to get that same temporary rise. It is analogous to a drug user using more and more drug each time trying to chase a smaller and smaller high.

Get the CO2 levels down in the tank if you actually want to fix the pH issue.

BTW: You never mentioned what your pH was. If it is 7.8 or higher then stop worrying and let it ride.

HidingReefer · 02/17/2016, 08:12 PM

If you wanna raise your PH right now or in the future try Kalkwasser, I use it on my system and love it. Kalk water has a pH of around 12, so when you add it to your tank it should raise the pH, but like the other guys said, don't get too fixed over pH make sure your other levels stay stable, also 1240 for mag, is indeed a little low, if I were you I would raise the mag to around 1350

Ray68 · 02/18/2016, 01:47 AM

I will get the mag up over the next few days and run a fresh air line to skimmer.
Thanks to everyone for the help

Dkuhlmann · 02/18/2016, 03:14 AM

You still never said what your PH reading is

Ray68 · 02/18/2016, 03:20 AM

Ph is 7.2

Member No. 1 · 02/18/2016, 04:04 AM

What are you using to determine the pH?
Before any more changes are made, either get a second tester, or take a sample to your LFS.

Ray68 · 02/18/2016, 04:40 AM

I am using an API kit. I will take some water to lfs tonight to be tested. I have several Red Sea test kits but none have ph or Alk tests. So time to buy more test kits.

hkgar · 02/18/2016, 07:19 AM

7.2 is dangerously low - if correct. It is doubtful that it is correct.

gottalikesharks · 02/18/2016, 07:31 AM

Get yourself one of these.....http://www.ebay.com/itm/Digital-PH-M...oAAOSwyQtViMLb

Ray68 · 02/18/2016, 12:56 PM

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Digital-PH-M...oAAOSwyQtViMLb
Thanks gottalikesharks got one on the way.

disc1 · 02/18/2016, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray68

Ph is 7.2

No, you have a measurement issue not a pH issue then. pH can't really go that low with rocks or sand in the tank. The rocks would start to dissolve that low and that process alone would increase the pH. If your rocks aren't fizzing then you need to get a better measurement before you go to much farther.

Ray68 · 02/18/2016, 04:41 PM

Just did another ph test tonight it is 8.0. I ordered Red Sea marine care test kit today.

Member No. 1 · 02/18/2016, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray68

Just did another ph test tonight it is 8.0. I ordered Red Sea marine care test kit today.

That's much better. Hold off on any changes until you can verify the results with the new test kit.
But if the results are the same, your pH is fine. 7.8 - 8.3. But don't get hung up chasing it. Just be sure your Ca, Alk, Mg are good, pH will take care of itself.

Ray68 · 02/20/2016, 06:05 AM

After a 50gal water change
Ph 8.2
Cal 420
Mag 1280
Alk 10
Will slowly raise mag corals are real pale. Another question I have is I have a duel reactor with phosban and carbon should I run it all the time or turn it off when phosphates are at 0

02/17/2016, 01:48 PM	#1
Ray68 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Franklin pa Posts: 69	How fast can I raise ph I am using seachem marine buffer it says 1level teaspoon per 20 gal. I have a total water volume of 200 gal. So I mixed it in fresh ro/di water should I put in all at once or a little over time.

02/17/2016, 02:29 PM	#2
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	pH really isn't of great importance and you shouldn't waste time trying to chase it. What are your numbers for Calcium, Alkalinity and Magnesium? (especially Ca amd Alk?) __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

02/17/2016, 02:49 PM	#4
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	YOu need that very much. Shelve the ph test unless you have reason to suspect a problem with ph, like too much co2 in area. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

02/17/2016, 04:31 PM	#7
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	You can't raise ph, unless you decrease the amount of CO2 in the water. What is the ph? The buffer will temporarily raise ph but it will settle back down to its "comfort" level. __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

02/17/2016, 04:35 PM	#8
ghellin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Edmond Posts: 1,844	mag is a little low I keep mine about 1350, but Calcium and Alk are fine. What is your pH? Is there a reason you are trying to raise it? In the cooler months with heaters running and doors and windows closed CO2 builds up in the home and reduces your aquariums pH, especially if you have a skimmer as the CO2 mixes with water to form carbonic acid which lowers the pH. Some combat this with a CO2 scrubber for their skimmer intake or they run the intake outside to draw outside air. __________________ 180. SRO 3000INT w/ANC. Fluval SP4. Gyre. DIY LED's/T5s. Apex. Bluefish. Clams. Tangs. SPS.

02/17/2016, 02:46 PM	#3
Ray68 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Franklin pa Posts: 69	My cal is 440 my mag is 1240 and I haven't got a alk test kit will look into getting one now

02/17/2016, 02:57 PM	#5
Ray68 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Franklin pa Posts: 69	I just put fan in sump area to get the air moving around. This might sound stupid but here it goes. Is a KH test the same as an Alk test or not?

02/17/2016, 03:10 PM	#6
Ray68 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Franklin pa Posts: 69	Sorry I do have an Alk test kit Alk 10 Cal 440 Mag 1240

02/17/2016, 08:12 PM	#10
HidingReefer Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 259	If you wanna raise your PH right now or in the future try Kalkwasser, I use it on my system and love it. Kalk water has a pH of around 12, so when you add it to your tank it should raise the pH, but like the other guys said, don't get too fixed over pH make sure your other levels stay stable, also 1240 for mag, is indeed a little low, if I were you I would raise the mag to around 1350

02/18/2016, 01:47 AM	#11
Ray68 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Franklin pa Posts: 69	I will get the mag up over the next few days and run a fresh air line to skimmer. Thanks to everyone for the help

02/18/2016, 03:14 AM	#12
Dkuhlmann Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,823	You still never said what your PH reading is __________________ Previous tanks: 200 gal fowlr 9" Emperor Angel and many different butterfly fish 4" maroon clown and several other fish, 50 gal sump, 40 gal mixed reef/fish mostly softies and LPS. Current Tank Info: 40b 750 gph 45 lbs lr, 2"-3" sand, 165w full spectrum dimable LED, 20 gal sump/refugium 30 lbs lr, Bak Pak 2 skimmer, 4" sock temp 79-80, sg 1.026, NH3 0, NO2 0, NO3 <10, ph 8.2, calc 400, mag 1300

02/18/2016, 03:20 AM	#13
Ray68 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Franklin pa Posts: 69	Ph is 7.2

02/18/2016, 04:04 AM	#14
Member No. 1 Ver. 2.1 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Rehoboth, MA Posts: 1,803	What are you using to determine the pH? Before any more changes are made, either get a second tester, or take a sample to your LFS. __________________ Pete "I never make mistakes... I thought I did once, but I was wrong" Current Tank Info: In the process - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2661614

02/18/2016, 04:40 AM	#15
Ray68 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Franklin pa Posts: 69	I am using an API kit. I will take some water to lfs tonight to be tested. I have several Red Sea test kits but none have ph or Alk tests. So time to buy more test kits.

02/18/2016, 07:19 AM	#16
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	7.2 is dangerously low - if correct. It is doubtful that it is correct. __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

02/18/2016, 07:31 AM	#17
gottalikesharks Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 182	Get yourself one of these.....http://www.ebay.com/itm/Digital-PH-M...oAAOSwyQtViMLb __________________ Building 120 Gallon Reef * Eshopps R-200 Refugium * PF-1200 Overflow Box * Reefkeeper Elite Controller * Reef Octopus 202-S Skimmer * Sicce Syncra 5.0 Pump * 2 Hydor Koralia 1500's & 2 565 Power Heads

02/18/2016, 12:56 PM	#18
Ray68 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Franklin pa Posts: 69	http://www.ebay.com/itm/Digital-PH-M...oAAOSwyQtViMLb Thanks gottalikesharks got one on the way.

02/18/2016, 04:41 PM	#20
Ray68 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Franklin pa Posts: 69	Just did another ph test tonight it is 8.0. I ordered Red Sea marine care test kit today.

02/20/2016, 06:05 AM	#22
Ray68 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Franklin pa Posts: 69	After a 50gal water change Ph 8.2 Cal 420 Mag 1280 Alk 10 Will slowly raise mag corals are real pale. Another question I have is I have a duel reactor with phosban and carbon should I run it all the time or turn it off when phosphates are at 0