Best option for sustainable 8.2+ ph?

[Novicereefer]

Hey,

I'm looking to get my PH to 8.2 or even 8.3. It's currently between 7.8 and 7.9. I dose 15ml of kalk every 2 hrs into my return chamber of my sump and my alk sits around 7.0 now. I was told in the past that a bag of crushed coral in my sump where my bio media is (Refugium section) or araga-live sand works. I run a bare bottom and the only substrate I would put is the araga-live black sand because of the look. What would be the best option? I have a 40 breeder with a 10 gallon sump but only using about 5 gallons of it

 

[TokenReefer]

Increase photosynthesis is one way. Do you have coral?

 

[Novicereefer]

Increase photosynthesis is one way. Do you have coral?

Yes. Mainly lps

 

[TokenReefer]

I recently upgraded my lights. My average peak ph (without additives) was 7.9. Two days with the new (more) lights I was over 8.0; two days later 8.1. It's a thing; if you have the capacity for it and looking for a few more pts. Just throwing one way out there...

 

[jackson6745]

Recirculating co2 scrubber works awesome.

 

[Novicereefer]

I recently upgraded my lights. My average peak ph (without additives) was 7.9. Two days with the new (more) lights I was over 8.0; two days later 8.1. It's a thing; if you have the capacity for it and looking for a few more pts. Just throwing one way out there...

I can look into that. Thanks. I have 2 ai prime 16hd and an xr15 Gen 4. I have them all on blues. Maybe I add some white?

 

[Novicereefer]

Recirculating co2 scrubber works awesome.

I'm not sure what that is but I've heard about it. I'm sure I can find info on it. Thank you!!

 

[Formulator]

I just successfully raised my pH with a multi faceted approach. I was running at 7.8-8.0 before. Now it runs about 8.1-8.3. I added a CO2 scrubber to my skimmer intake and raised my Alk target from 8.2 to 8.7. Also added a refugium, but this just helped tighten my range from day to night.

 

[TokenReefer]

I can look into that. Thanks. I have 2 ai prime 16hd and an xr15 Gen 4. I have them all on blues. Maybe I add some white?

Adding white will increase par far as I know but lighting can be subjective to your taste. Blues may be preferred; I get it. Just a suggestion

 

[Charlie’s Frags]

 

[KC2020]

Is the 15ML of KW the max you can add or can you use more and match your tank's evaporation ?

 

[Formulator]

You just trying to make us all jealous or you gonna tell us how you accomplished that?

 

[KC2020]

We can play that game but it doesn't help the OP answer his question.

Notice the line from the left if flat. Alk is 10.5, Ca 485.

I'm Just dripping KW but it's saturated and controlled by pH so it never drops more than .02 at night.

 

[Formulator]

We can play that game but it doesn't help the OP answer his question.

Notice the line from the left if flat. Alk is 10.5, Ca 485.

I'm Just dripping KW but it's saturated and controlled by pH so it never drops more than .02 at night.

That is insane. I’ve never heard of pH kept that tight. Everyone has a daily photosynthetic oscillation… I thought. I guess its great, but is there really any benefit to chasing that kind of pH stability? It seems like you could be asking for a precipitation event using that much kalk. I could be wrong. Never used kalk or done much research on the topic.

 

[SaltwaterScoop]

I added a CO2 scrubber to my skimmer intake and it raised my ph from 8.1 to 8.4. It does exhaust the media relatively quickly though. I wait until I see my daytime pH drop to 8.3 before replacing (this usually happens at around the ~3 week mark). I ended up buying a bulk 5 gallon jug of soda lime.

 

[Charlie’s Frags]

You just trying to make us all jealous or you gonna tell us how you accomplished that?

Both.

I run a refugium, have a ton of coral and 2 tons of light, run a recirculating co2 scrubber, and I dose all my alk when my lights are off via an ecotech versa pump.

 

[KC2020]

That is insane. I’ve never heard of pH kept that tight. Everyone has a daily photosynthetic oscillation… I thought. I guess its great, but is there really any benefit to chasing that kind of pH stability? It seems like you could be asking for a precipitation event using that much kalk. I could be wrong. Never used kalk or done much research on the topic.

My tanks have a photosynthetic oscillation, all do, but dosing goes up at night to compensate. At night the KW is super saturated by mixing an hour before lights go out.

KW is easy. Optimizing it is a little more work, but not much.