Water Chemistry - pH

[Geo_6]

Hello reefers,

My kH is around 12 (salifert Test) and my pH is 7,75 (electrode) during the day. I read that close to 8.0 / 8.3+ is optimal however it seems that I cannot get to that range. Do you see this as an issue?

I can imagine that at night the pH lowers due to CO2 being released....

Thank you!

G

 

[aresangel]

That’s a very high alkalinity/dKh.

Everything I read says don’t chase pH and focus on the calcium and alkalinity balance. Then take care of nutrients and your tank will be fine.


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[Chris A.]

Try opening a window and see if it affects it

 

[Geo_6]

That’s a very high alkalinity/dKh.

Everything I read says don’t chase pH and focus on the calcium and alkalinity balance. Then take care of nutrients and your tank will be fine.


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It was the Red Sea Coral Pro Salt that has high kH. I am trying to lower it now with Red Sea Salt Blue Bucket, however it takes time I suppose. I also don't have much corals to absorb Ca and Mg...

 

[Geo_6]

Try opening a window and see if it affects it

Too cold now

 

[Chris A.]

Try running the skimmer line outside
My tank went from low 7.6 to a low of 7.9 high of 7.9 to a high of 8.25

 

[Geo_6]

Try running the skimmer line outside
My tank went from low 7.6 to a low of 7.9 high of 7.9 to a high of 8.25

Hi Chris - what do you mean by sunning skimmer line outside? Sorry don't understand

 

[Chris A.]

Extend the skimmer air intake line to a window and insulate it the window so the air don’t come in and see if that helps your ph. Co2 is the biggest cause of low ph

 

[Geo_6]

Extend the skimmer air intake line to a window and insulate it the window so the air don’t come in and see if that helps your ph. Co2 is the biggest cause of low ph

I see, thank you.
Will an airstone also help?

 

[Chris A.]

The air would still have to be coming from the outside since your problem most likely is indoor air is high in co2

 

[JohnK]

7.75 probably won't cause problems. Trying to "fix it" might.

As was already said, pay attention to your alk an not your PH. PH is a function of Co2 vs alk, if you can't reduce the Co2, then the PH should be pushed down a bit.

 

[dz6t]

Very well said.


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[dz6t]

There is a DIY CO2 scrubber for skimmer you can make.


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[dz6t]

Or buy it from Bulkreefsupply
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-...MI973tstqh3gIVkorICh1QfwFxEAQYASABEgK4PfD_BwE


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[Geo_6]

Thank you all, Will think about it and will act accordingly.

 

[jcherepo]

My pH was high 7’s and when I ran an air line to outside basement window pH up to 8.1. Made a big difference in stability too.


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[jasonrusso]

This is all I did. Ph went from 7.8 to 8.2.

 

[Greg Hiller]

I agree, don't sweat the pH too much. If you can keep alk elevated generally everything will be fine. Be careful though, if you have really high alk and then push the pH high you can start getting a lot of precipitation on anything that is slightly warm (think inside of pumps and powerheads). I generally run my tank at quite high alk. Been doing so for more than a decade and other than the precip issue, I generally don't have problems.

 

[Geo_6]

I agree, don't sweat the pH too much. If you can keep alk elevated generally everything will be fine. Be careful though, if you have really high alk and then push the pH high you can start getting a lot of precipitation on anything that is slightly warm (think inside of pumps and powerheads). I generally run my tank at quite high alk. Been doing so for more than a decade and other than the precip issue, I generally don't have problems.

Thanks Greg, It is stuck at 7,8 and knowing that a bit higher would be optimal I try to explore what I can do.
My Alkalinity is always pretty stable at 10 so I suppose I just let it be...

thank you!

G