aquavitro eight.four: magic, snake oil, or just a buffer?

[MoshJosh]

My pH is fairly chronically 7.9 or less. I have a refugium that runs opposite my display so I assume there is some variance between day and night. On multiple occasions my LFS has recommended I start using aquavitro eight.four. They claim it will maintain pH at 8.4 while also prevent it from going any higher? If true that would be amazing! But is it true?

Anyone using this?

Can or should it be dosed on a pump?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The claim is absurd. It is nothing more than a mix of baking soda (bicarbonate) and washing soda (carbonate) that has the same ratio of bicarbonate to carbonate as seawater does at pH 8.4 (which is mostly bicarbonate).

The kernel of truth in The claim is that it always drives the pH toward 8.4, but if your pH is 7.8, it won’t get you there and using carbonate alone will get you closer.

If you need a pH boost, it is a poorer choice than washing soda alone.

 

[Bruttall]

If you need a pH boost, it is a poorer choice than washing soda alone.

What is a good choice to boost just PH?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

What is a good choice to boost just PH?

No chemical additive can boost pH and not alkalinity. Hydroxide has the highest possible pH boost per unit of alk added.

Reducing CO2 in the air around the tank or added to a skimmer will raise pH and not alk.

 

[Bruttall]

No chemical additive can boost pH and not alkalinity. Hydroxide has the highest possible pH boost per unit of alk added.

Reducing CO2 in the air around the tank or added to a skimmer will raise pH and not alk.

PH daily average of about 7.9. DKH is running high. Last test was slightly above 12. I have a skimmer with co2 scrubber. But I just rebuilt this skimmer and started it running about 4 days ago. It's a venturi driven model, instead of the needle wheel I was using, producing much nastier skim mate. PH seems low to me. Any other thoughts on what I might be able to do to raise PH, or do I need to worry?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

PH daily average of about 7.9. DKH is running high. Last test was slightly above 12. I have a skimmer with co2 scrubber. But I just rebuilt this skimmer and started it running about 4 days ago. It's a venturi driven model, instead of the needle wheel I was using, producing much nastier skim mate. PH seems low to me. Any other thoughts on what I might be able to do to raise PH, or do I need to worry?

That pH is not bad, but fresher air to the room should help.

 

[Bruttall]

That pH is not bad, but fresher air to the room should help.

Thanks Randy.