Dreaded pH issue

[rob safron]

Like many on the site I am fighting low pH with large swings. I dose Vinegar for nutrient and use AF 123 as well as ABEV. My pH can get as high as 8.1 during the day and drops to 7.7 at night. Way too low as well as I don’t like that swing. I have tried adding Kalk to the vinegar, I have a large CO2 scrubber, I tried adding an airline from tha scrubber to the outside. Nothing seems to make a difference. I did have a small fuge with alge which didn’t seem to help either. I run very low nutrients so that didn’t grow and really withered away. My next thought is Kalk in the top off. Is that alright to use with AF123 and I’m guessing I will really need to cut back on 123 dose which means less trace elements. Here’s my pH graph, thoughts?

 

[jtietz]

Like many on the site I am fighting low pH with large swings. I dose Vinegar for nutrient and use AF 123 as well as ABEV. My pH can get as high as 8.1 during the day and drops to 7.7 at night. Way too low as well as I don’t like that swing. I have tried adding Kalk to the vinegar, I have a large CO2 scrubber, I tried adding an airline from tha scrubber to the outside. Nothing seems to make a difference. I did have a small fuge with alge which didn’t seem to help either. I run very low nutrients so that didn’t grow and really withered away. My next thought is Kalk in the top off. Is that alright to use with AF123 and I’m guessing I will really need to cut back on 123 dose which means less trace elements. Here’s my pH graph, thoughts?

It you have macro algae. Try a reverse lighting schedule.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Change the alk porttion of the 123 to dose in the evening before the drop to boost the ph and the rest of the alk through the night so it doesn't go in all at the same time.

See show that goes and then try a few hundred Ml if saturated lime in the ato.

 

[Lynchmob3000]

I've heard of people making their own mix of 123 with soda ash instead of what af uses and that boosts their ph. 123 even at night dosing won't give you a raised ph. Ime

 

[jsker]

Keep the 1+2+3+ the same, the 1+2+3+ need to stay balanced for success of your system. I would suggest using the Alk plus link if one is going to try to boost the Alk. Dosing 2+ more will also add more component C Strong. I use the Mg plus in my system since my system consumes more Mg

Question, were is then Alk now?

Baked baking soda can act like a buffer to raise the PH and will also raise the alk, Here are some solutions to work with your PH link by Randy

I have also been dealing with swings in PH since adding a new AC system in the beginning of the summer and in my case my issue is more environmentally (outside of the tank) I do have a line to the outside feed through a scrubber then to the skimmer and I am not have the big swings like I used to have but the PH is lower. I have noticed when it is real hot and humid here that my PH drops below the desired range. I have noticed when the cooler weather moves in my PH goes up higher with cooler/dryer weather.

Look at recalibration of your PH probe, I did this also to make sure I was getting a true reading. When doing the I replaced the ph probe, just to be sure. The old probe was working fine but now I have a new probe.

 

[jsker]

I've heard of people making their own mix of 123 with soda ash instead of what af uses and that boosts their ph. 123 even at night dosing won't give you a raised ph. Ime

I have not heard of this. Making your own saves almost 60% over purchasing the pre made. I would suggest sticking with what work instead of cutting corners to save on costs and have a disaster down the road

Here is a link to the recipe
Here is a link to a video of how to make your own mixing additions amount of product just over saturates the mix and is a waste of cost.

 

[rob safron]

So I add my components throughout a 24 hour period. Could put all the alk portion at night only but that did not help when using BRS 2 part prior to moving to AF. I maintain my Alk steady at 7.8 (due to carbon dosing). I tried baking soda in the past, it does a great job but would have to dose it everyday or pH just drops back down. That’s why I am considering Kalk in the top off water. I do mix my own 123 solution per the AF recipe. My concern is adding Kalk to top off will throw off the 123 dosage.

Rob

 

[rob safron]

FYI, I am also running 2 pH probes and they agree. Both have been calibrated recently.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

If you measure the kalk and consider its contribution it won't throw it off, just add to it in a balance. Fwiw saturated lime is actually really weak stuff.

Baking soda btw will throw ca alk out of balance.

You'd have to read up a bit or use the calculator to see what ad uses for alk and if it effects PH. I didn't think about that at first. Good points.
Not all alk supplements effect ph as much as others.

 

[rob safron]

Ok, I will try adding Kalk to ATO, maybe run it only over the night hours, and watch my Alk/Ca levels and adjust 123 as needed.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Ok, I will try adding Kalk to ATO, maybe run it only over the night hours, and watch my Alk/Ca levels and adjust 123 as needed.

Try the reef calculator first imo.

I'll show you both the effect on ph From both products and it's effect on alk/cal.

So like normal saturated kalk in an ato. 300 ml in five gal over the week will effect ph by x, and cal by x and alk x by x. Etc etc.

 

[jtietz]

Saw this in another forum. Never tried it. Can anyone give a review.