Difficult to dose 2 part with high pH

[Angryminer_07]

So my pH was consistently lower (high 7.0’s) and I couldnt get it go any higher even with two part dosing. I work in the medical field and have access to partial used and discarded Co2 scrubbing material. I built myself a Co2 and instantly my ph climbed to 8.3.

Problem is now when I got to dose my alkalinity my Ph jumps high with even a small dose. I swear as soon as I even show the cup with soda ash to the tank and it goes to 8.4. It’s alwys seems I’m behind my corals consumption because I can’t dose it slow enough during my windows of time at home. I’m forever in the 6’s with dkh. I’m afraid I need to buy a dosing unit ($$$). Does anyone have any other suggestions other than spend more money?

 

[EmdeReef]

You could try disconnecting your CO2 scrubber a few hours during the day and/or dosing alk at night.

Dosers are a must have imo if you’re trying to keep sps.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

pH 8.4 is perfectly fine. Maybe better than pH 8.2 for coral growth. But if you want it lower, switch to a lower pH two part, or use less scrubbing material.

You are using a medium pH two part (carbonate-based). You can switch to a low pH effect two part, based on bicarbonate. Those are both commercial (B-ionic Bicarbonate, for example), or DIY (my DIY#2).

 

[Angryminer_07]

pH 8.4 is perfectly fine. Maybe better than pH 8.2 for coral growth. But if you want it lower, switch to a lower pH two part, or use less scrubbing material.

You are using a medium pH two part (carbonate-based). You can switch to a low pH effect two part, based on bicarbonate. Those are both commercial (B-ionic Bicarbonate, for example), or DIY (my DIY#2).

Awesome! I’ll probabky end up getting a dosing unit at some point. For now I’ll play around and figure out what combo works best for my schedule. I also didn’t know 8.4 was a good thing so I’ll quit worrying about that part. Thanks!

I’m kind of stuck with using a set amount of scrubber material at a time. I use premeasured and prepackaged containers of soda ash used for scrubbing Co2 from anesthesia machines during surgery. I found out a local surgery center was just throwing them away partially used. So I DIY’d a connector to the container with some tubing to my skimmer. Works like a dang charm.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Awesome! I’ll probabky end up getting a dosing unit at some point. For now I’ll play around and figure out what combo works best for my schedule. I also didn’t know 8.4 was a good thing so I’ll quit worrying about that part. Thanks!

I’m kind of stuck with using a set amount of scrubber material at a time. I use premeasured and prepackaged containers of soda ash used for scrubbing Co2 from anesthesia machines during surgery. I found out a local surgery center was just throwing them away partially used. So I DIY’d a connector to the container with some tubing to my skimmer. Works like a dang charm.

FWIW, I used limewater (kalkwasser) only and for years my tank ph ran 8.35 to 8.55, which seemed fine to me. It was only when I got new storm windows that the pH lowered, to around 8.2-8.35.

 

[Angryminer_07]

FWIW, I used limewater (kalkwasser) only and for years my tank ph ran 8.35 to 8.55, which seemed fine to me. It was only when I got new storm windows that the pH lowered, to around 8.2-8.35.

What is a safe amount of abrupt pH change for livestock (inverts, coral, fish) to handle during dosing, Co2 scrubber material depletion , etc?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

What is a safe amount of abrupt pH change for livestock (inverts, coral, fish) to handle during dosing, Co2 scrubber material depletion , etc?

I'm not actually sure that sudden pH changes within normally acceptable pH values is a concern.