PH issues

Micki · 03/19/2006, 11:42 AM

Hi Randy, I'm having some problems with my PH. My KH is also high, so using a buffer probably won't be helpful. Here are my numbers. I'm using a CA reactor which we just started a few days ago. Prior to that I was using the lime water method which worked great but we had to change the bucket every few days using plain RO/DI water on the off day. I didn't kije the CA going up and down so we get the CA reactor. The numbers I have today were pretty close to what they were a few days prior to starting the CA reactor. Salifert were used for all tests.

CA 425
KH 14.7
Mg 1260

PH 7.9 via pinpoint monitor

Thanks!

Randy Holmes-Farley · 03/19/2006, 01:55 PM

so using a buffer probably won't be helpful.

It almost never is a good choice for raising pH.

Was the pH higher when using the limewater? Continuing to use it, along with the reactor, if you like, it may be the best option. This article has more:

Low pH: Causes and Cures
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.htm

Micki · 03/19/2006, 02:52 PM

Actually I've battled low PH most of the time. Once in a while I have nice PH range. So the lime water really didn't do the trick either.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 03/19/2006, 03:17 PM

Limewater and fresh air are about the only really effective options. Perhaps you have very elevated CO2 in your home air.

Micki · 03/19/2006, 03:23 PM

Hmmm, My son is on the fire department I'll have him bring the CO2 detector in our house.

Thanks!

Micki · 03/19/2006, 03:59 PM

Ok, so I think I have my Co and Co2 mixed up. Irregardless. He just tested the Co in the house and it is 0-1 at highest. I 'm not sure that's what I wanted to test for though is it?

Billybeau1 · 03/19/2006, 04:35 PM

He probably tested for carbon monoxide. Randy is talking about carbon dioxide. We who live in the north states get elevated carbon dioxide levels in our homes because in the winter we have our houses closed up. Elevated Co2 levels will drive ph down. I comes from many sources. Heck , when I cook with my gas stove, my ph drops a unit or so.

Micki · 03/19/2006, 04:41 PM

Yes you are correct, he tested for carbon Monoxide and Randy is talking about the carbon Dioxide.

Billybeau1 · 03/19/2006, 04:44 PM

Yes, in the winter my ph is always between 7.9 and 8.1

I've learned to live with it.

Micki · 03/19/2006, 04:46 PM

I may have to learn to live with mine as well. The sump room has no windows in it. The reason we bought the CA reactor is to replace the lime water. We could also drip lime but the CA would still fluctuate as well as the PH.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 03/20/2006, 05:51 AM

If the pH does not go below 7.9, you can live with it.

Micki · 03/20/2006, 06:03 AM

Ok, I'll keep close tabs.

Thanks again!

Randy Holmes-Farley · 03/20/2006, 10:58 AM

You're welcome.

Good luck.

03/19/2006, 11:42 AM	#1
Micki Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 7,163	PH issues Hi Randy, I'm having some problems with my PH. My KH is also high, so using a buffer probably won't be helpful. Here are my numbers. I'm using a CA reactor which we just started a few days ago. Prior to that I was using the lime water method which worked great but we had to change the bucket every few days using plain RO/DI water on the off day. I didn't kije the CA going up and down so we get the CA reactor. The numbers I have today were pretty close to what they were a few days prior to starting the CA reactor. Salifert were used for all tests. CA 425 KH 14.7 Mg 1260 PH 7.9 via pinpoint monitor Thanks! __________________ Micki... Western Ohio Reef Club Click the red house for my 125 progress! Current Tank Info: 125 gal. reef, 90 gal. sump, 10 gal. fuge, 40 gallon. 150 gallon fish only.

03/19/2006, 01:55 PM	#2
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	so using a buffer probably won't be helpful. It almost never is a good choice for raising pH. Was the pH higher when using the limewater? Continuing to use it, along with the reactor, if you like, it may be the best option. This article has more: Low pH: Causes and Cures http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.htm __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef Last edited by Randy Holmes-Farley; 03/19/2006 at 03:17 PM.

03/19/2006, 02:52 PM	#3
Micki Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 7,163	Actually I've battled low PH most of the time. Once in a while I have nice PH range. So the lime water really didn't do the trick either. __________________ Micki... Western Ohio Reef Club Click the red house for my 125 progress! Current Tank Info: 125 gal. reef, 90 gal. sump, 10 gal. fuge, 40 gallon. 150 gallon fish only.

03/19/2006, 03:17 PM	#4
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	Limewater and fresh air are about the only really effective options. Perhaps you have very elevated CO2 in your home air. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

03/19/2006, 03:23 PM	#5
Micki Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 7,163	Hmmm, My son is on the fire department I'll have him bring the CO2 detector in our house. Thanks! __________________ Micki... Western Ohio Reef Club Click the red house for my 125 progress! Current Tank Info: 125 gal. reef, 90 gal. sump, 10 gal. fuge, 40 gallon. 150 gallon fish only. Last edited by Micki; 03/19/2006 at 03:57 PM.

03/19/2006, 03:59 PM	#6
Micki Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 7,163	Ok, so I think I have my Co and Co2 mixed up. Irregardless. He just tested the Co in the house and it is 0-1 at highest. I 'm not sure that's what I wanted to test for though is it? __________________ Micki... Western Ohio Reef Club Click the red house for my 125 progress! Current Tank Info: 125 gal. reef, 90 gal. sump, 10 gal. fuge, 40 gallon. 150 gallon fish only.

03/19/2006, 04:35 PM	#7
Billybeau1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dyer, Indiana Posts: 12,010	He probably tested for carbon monoxide. Randy is talking about carbon dioxide. We who live in the north states get elevated carbon dioxide levels in our homes because in the winter we have our houses closed up. Elevated Co2 levels will drive ph down. I comes from many sources. Heck , when I cook with my gas stove, my ph drops a unit or so.

03/19/2006, 04:41 PM	#8
Micki Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 7,163	Yes you are correct, he tested for carbon Monoxide and Randy is talking about the carbon Dioxide. __________________ Micki... Western Ohio Reef Club Click the red house for my 125 progress! Current Tank Info: 125 gal. reef, 90 gal. sump, 10 gal. fuge, 40 gallon. 150 gallon fish only.

03/19/2006, 04:44 PM	#9
Billybeau1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dyer, Indiana Posts: 12,010	Yes, in the winter my ph is always between 7.9 and 8.1 I've learned to live with it.

03/19/2006, 04:46 PM	#10
Micki Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 7,163	I may have to learn to live with mine as well. The sump room has no windows in it. The reason we bought the CA reactor is to replace the lime water. We could also drip lime but the CA would still fluctuate as well as the PH. __________________ Micki... Western Ohio Reef Club Click the red house for my 125 progress! Current Tank Info: 125 gal. reef, 90 gal. sump, 10 gal. fuge, 40 gallon. 150 gallon fish only.

03/20/2006, 05:51 AM	#11
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	If the pH does not go below 7.9, you can live with it. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

03/20/2006, 06:03 AM	#12
Micki Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 7,163	Ok, I'll keep close tabs. Thanks again! __________________ Micki... Western Ohio Reef Club Click the red house for my 125 progress! Current Tank Info: 125 gal. reef, 90 gal. sump, 10 gal. fuge, 40 gallon. 150 gallon fish only.

03/20/2006, 10:58 AM	#13
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	You're welcome. Good luck. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef