High pH with B-ionic 2 Part - How do I address this?

[Zoaddicted]

So recently I've started running into high pH issues.

This high pH trend started just shortly after setting up my dosing pump. I'm dosing 2 part B-Ionic Calcium and Alkalinity.

Here are my current parameters
Calcium 420 ppm
Alkalinity 7.6 dKH
Magnesium 1400
pH at night (5:00AM) 8.2-8.3
pH at the end of the light cycle 8.4-8.5

Prior to dosing, my pH was lower
pH at night 7.9-8.0
pH at end of the day 8.3
Calcium and alkalinity were less stable.

Monitoring pH using a calibrated pH probe from Neptune Systems. Measuring alkalinity/calcium with Red Sea test kits and salifert test kits.


Currently a lot of my zoas are half open. Lost an acro frag. I lost a few frags.

I have turned off my dosing pump.

I want to continue using my dosing pump but there is something that I'm still not understanding.

1. Do I have to dose equal amounts of Calcium and Alkalinity additives if using 2 Part?
2. Should I lower my pH or will it lower itself?
   • I'm interested in adding Soda Water as described in Randy's article.

 

[Zoaddicted]

ESV B-ionic Alkalintiy Additive Ingredients
carbonate, bicarbonate, borate, sodium, sulfate, fluoride, iodide, molybdate, vanadate, selenate

ESV B-ionic Calcium Additive Ingredients
Calcium, Chloride, Magnesium, other chemicals

Found a fairly digestible article by Randy on the Relationship between Alkalinity and pH

So I'm thinking my pH has risen due to the excessive addition of Alkalinity additives.
The Carbonate is reacting with H+ ions to form Bicarbonate which increases my pH
The Bicarbonate is reacting with H+ ions to form carbonic acid which dissociates into CO2 and H2O

So should I try and increase the Co2 concentrations of my tank given my current parameters?

 

[twilliard]

Your ALK and cal dosing should be based on demand.
Ph is a number that imo doesn't need chasing.

 

[Sabellafella]

Ive ben using esv salt, 2 part for so long ill tell u everything u need to kno about it, how high is ur alk , mag tank volume an light cycle

 

[Sabellafella]

And how many mls u dose

 

[cmcoker]

If your worried about it you could try their other formula:

"ESV B-Ionic Calcium Bicarbonate System 64oz (2) 32oz Component

B-Ionic Calcium Bicarbonate System is a specially formulated, lower pH version of our original B-Ionic Calcium Buffer System. Some marine aquaria can naturally run at high pH levels (peaking over 8.45 pH)... "

Overall, the alk/Ca being held stable is most important. Don't chase pH.

 

[Sabellafella]

B ionic 2 part is massivly concentrated compared to every other 2part but my ph raises past 8.3 when i leave windows open overnight

 

[cmcoker]

Oh, and yes you should generally be using the same amounts of two part, Unless things have been allowed to get wonky for some reason. the levels in each of the two parts will match the consumption ratio of alk/Ca in the aquarium.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

IMO, if the pH does not rise above pH 8.55, there's no concern.

More aeration will bring it down, and switching to the B-ionic Bicarbonate version mentioned above (or my DIY using baking soda (unbaked)) will drop the pH.