High pH

[tpv]

Looking for suggestions on what I should do to lower the pH in my tank. Has consistently been testing at like 8.6 with the Red Sea test kit since I setup the tank a month ago. Any suggestions on what to do?

 

[Uncle99]

Nothing…..nothing at all.
Forget PH.
Very hard to get a good read on that anyways.

Reefers spend way too much on this parameter.
It will run 7.8 to 8.0 and that’s fine.

 

[eliaslikesfish]

Nothing…..nothing at all.
Forget PH.
Very hard to get a good read on that anyways.

Reefers spend way too much on this parameter.
It will run 7.8 to 8.0 and that’s fine.

this^

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

FWIW, pH is NEVER too high in a reef tank that gets any reasonable aeration and is not dosing high pH alkalinity additives.

I would not assume it is correct, but if somehow it is, it is not worth doing anything about.

pH and the Reef Aquarium - REEFEDITION

by Randy Holmes-Farley For many aquarists, pH is not something that they have much experience with aside from their aquarium. For many, pH is almost a black box measurement: something to be considered, but whose physical meaning makes little sense to them. This article will Read more here...

www.reefedition.com

 

[tpv]

Thank you all! I did just perform an alkalinity test which seems way low, tested at only 3 dKH before the test overdosed. Any products you recommend using to get this up?

 

[Garf]

Thank you all! I did just perform an alkalinity test which seems way low, tested at only 3 dKH before the test overdosed. Any products you recommend using to get this up?

You got a pic of the tank, that Alkalinity don't sound right.

 

[tpv]

You got a pic of the tank, that Alkalinity don't sound right.

That’s what I was thinking but yes here’s the tank!

 

[Garf]

That’s what I was thinking but yes here’s the tank!

What Alk test are you using? Is it possible you are using it upside down? ie, reading a syringe backwards or converting it to a chart back to front?

 

[tpv]

What Alk test are you using? Is it possible you are using it upside down? ie, reading a syringe backwards or converting it to a chart back to front?

using the red sea marine kit, started off with 5ml of tank water, added the single drop of titrant to change the water blue, added a single drop at a time after that shaking the solution 10sec at a time. 6th drop turned solution green, 7th drop turned it yellow. From what it looks like their chart says it would be 3

 

[Garf]

using the red sea marine kit, started off with 5ml of tank water, added the single drop of titrant to change the water blue, added a single drop at a time after that shaking the solution 10sec at a time. 6th drop turned solution green, 7th drop turned it yellow. From what it looks like their chart says it would be 3

So is the other resolution tested with 10mls of tank water? I think you are mixing them up.

 

[tpv]

using the red sea marine kit, started off with 5ml of tank water, added the single drop of titrant to change the water blue, added a single drop at a time after that shaking the solution 10sec at a time. 6th drop turned solution green, 7th drop turned it yellow. From what it looks like their chart says it would be 3

Sorry you are correct I did mix them up, with that being said it’s at 6. Ideal is normally 8-12 right?

 

[Garf]

Sorry you are correct I did mix them up, with that being said it’s at 6. Ideal is normally 8-12 right?

Lots of folk run those, yes. Before you mess about with that however you need to be sure of your salinity, how are you checking that?

 

[tpv]

Lots of folk run those, yes. Before you mess about with that however you need to be sure of your salinity, how are you checking that?

handheld refractometer, I haven’t check the salinity in about 2 weeks, just been added RO/DI water to top off and weekly water changes. Would high salinity = low alkalinity or vice versa?

 

[Garf]

handheld refractometer, I haven’t check the salinity in about 2 weeks, just been added RO/DI water to top off and weekly water changes. Would high salinity = low alkalinity or vice versa?

Vice versa, lol

 

[tpv]

Vice versa, lol

just did 3 different tests in different areas of the tank and salinity is a little high at .4 (my mixing is normally .35-.36) but the tank will be due for top off tomorrow

 

[Garf]

just did 3 different tests in different areas of the tank and salinity is a little high at .4 (my mixing is normally .35-.36) but the tank will be due for top off tomorrow

I strongly suggest making Randy's DIY salinity standard. It costs pennies;

Reef Aquarium Salinity: DIY Calibration Standards

Reef Aquarium Salinity: DIY Calibration Standards By Randy Holmes-Farley One of the most important issues facing marine aquarists is providing a suitable environment for their aquaria's inhabitants. Among the important properties for a marine...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

just did 3 different tests in different areas of the tank and salinity is a little high at .4 (my mixing is normally .35-.36) but the tank will be due for top off tomorrow

What does that mean? I cannot think of any units of measure where those numbers apply to salinity.

Do you mean 40 ppt?

 

[tpv]

What does that mean? I cannot think of any units of measure where those numbers apply to salinity.

Do you mean 40 ppt?

Sorry yes!

 

[Uncle99]

Before measuring anything, get salinity on point or everything else will be out.
34-35ppt is the target you seek.

RODI top off should be very frequent if you intend to have a stable environment, otherwise, fluxes will simply cause you grief over time, and make corals very unhappy.

Consider an ATO to do that maintenance for you, this device will keep your salinity stable.

Mine comes on every 15 ish minutes and holds salinity at 35ppt without any help from me other than filling the RODI bucket, once per week.

 

[tpv]

Before measuring anything, get salinity on point or everything else will be out.
34-35ppt is the target you seek.

Then, go about your tests.

Thanks! Water top off tomorrow should fix the salinity being high at 40!