Buffering RODI top off and newly mixed salt.

Degener8 · May 9, 2012

Ok so my RODI has a PH of 7.4 or below.
I had an issue with High PH in my tank so while this helped to lower the over all PH of the tank I am worried that it may continue the downward trend.
Even newly mixed saltwater onve it has mixed overnight still has a PH of roughly 7.6

So what is the prefered method of raising the PH in my top off and newly mixed water. I have never had this issue in the past. I am not sure if its just the bag of salt I got or if it will continue with other mixes. Currently using reef crystals.

Looking for some advice here if I need to let the water mix more or if i need to take an extra day and slowly raise the PH with baking soda...

Thanks
Garnet

killereef · May 9, 2012

I dont know if this help but my water from my RO/DI is also low in PH. I have just recently changed to Salanity Salt. The salt has a buffer mix that keeps my newly made salt water PH at 8.4. I am please with the salt and one less thing to add.

feh · May 9, 2012

Baking soda won't raise the pH. Actually it will lower it. Soda ash will raise it but you don't want to keep dosing Alk to manipulate your pH. Whats the pH of the water midday when the lights are on? Your pH is usually the lowest just before the lights come on for the day.

This might help
Chemistry And The Aquarium: Solutions To pH Problems — Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog

cdness · May 9, 2012

Oxygenate the water with an air stone before adding it. The oxygen will increase PH of the water, which is what the skimmer helps do in the sump of your tank. Be sure to place the air pump or intake higher in the room to get the higher concentration of oxygen.

jstlsn · May 9, 2012

Another thing that I do when trying to raise the pH and oxygenate the water is open a few windows in my house.

Degener8 · May 9, 2012

The house is open almost always except for the really hot days.
I had been using just a power head to mix the salt I will add an air stone and see if this resolves the issue in newly mixed water.
The PH mid day is around 8.2 but i just didn't want the change in PH from new water addition to cause stress. I was figuring that the sand etc in my tank was buffering the water up to the 8.2 ish mark over a period of time. that mixed with the air from the skimmer driving the O2 in the water.

Will try the airstone and see if that helps.. Thanks all for the input.

AZDesertRat · May 10, 2012

You CANNOT accurately measure the pH of RO/DI water and even if you could it is meaningless. RO/DI is basically neutral and quickly takes on the characteristics of whatever it is added to or is added to it. No need to buffer as it has no effect go or bad on the tank, it stays wherever it was.