How to raise ph without alkalinity
- Thread starter Crystal08
- Start date
- Tagged users None
Derrick0580
Valuable Member
Co2 scrubber, open windows in your home, run line from skimmer to the outside air…..ps i have tried all of these, nothing has helped. Just came to the conclusion I’m doomed to have low ph.
First, I would check your pH reading is correct. That and just about every other cause is covered in Randy Holmes Farley’s article attached;
The_Paradox
Valuable Member
Why not just run some buffer solution? Unless you live in an R30 insulated house, never go outside, and have 40 cats outside plumbing your skimmer outside is not gonna do much.
You do know these all increase Alkalinity?
Reefer Matt
Reef Cave Dweller
Partner Member 2024
Excellence Award
RGB
Article Contributor
R2R Media Partner
Hospitality Award
R2R Secret Santa 2023
My Tank Thread
My Aquarium Showcase
Do you run a protein skimmer?
The_Paradox
Valuable Member
Pretty much anything marine safe that raises pH chemically will also bump alkalinity. Some more than others. Something like sodium carbonate should get you off that gray area of 7.5 though while only slightly raising alkalinity. Not sure why such fear over bumping alkalinity a quarter to half a point.
jphilip813
Well-Known Member
When was the last time you calibrated your probes? To include your device (assuming it is a Trident) that tests ALK? What time of day was that test conducted and are you running a skimmer? Also if all I mentioned has checked out, have you looked into a Co2 Scrubber?
OP
OP
Crystal08
Active Member
It’s a Hanna checker and it’s calibrated as far as I know. It’s a Hanna multi parameter checker and it’s only a few months old. I do have a protein skimmer. I’m still very much learning and i don’t have any idea how a Co2 scrubber works or anything
Uncle99
10K Club member
Over the years, I have found PH tests the most unreliable of all.
As long as your having good water movement and the tank is not in a small room…..just forget it.
You’ll get a better bang for your buck by keeping all other parameters as steady as you possibly can, Id put your efforts there.
When you play with PH, you change the water chemistry.
it is, IS, what it is, but more importantly, it’s consistent.
Consistency is everything.
The_Paradox
Valuable Member
That will work. Honestly if it’s 7.5 in morning I would not worry about it. If it’s 7.5 mid-day I would add buffer. Over time they system will gain stability.
Neko
Community Member
Not sure how mucn contribute in each item. This is what I am doing.
My 53gal SPS - PH is 8.2 stable
1. Open window
2. Move water surface by adjusting return nozzle angle
3. Dose ESV B-ionic for maintain alkalinity and increase PH
4. Run protain skimmer 24/7
My 13.5gal LPS - PH is 8.0 stable
1. Open window
2. Move water surface by adjusting return nozzle angle
Both tanks are in the same room. Fortunately, my room have a large window for breathing. I live in North California.
My 53gal SPS - PH is 8.2 stable
1. Open window
2. Move water surface by adjusting return nozzle angle
3. Dose ESV B-ionic for maintain alkalinity and increase PH
4. Run protain skimmer 24/7
My 13.5gal LPS - PH is 8.0 stable
1. Open window
2. Move water surface by adjusting return nozzle angle
Both tanks are in the same room. Fortunately, my room have a large window for breathing. I live in North California.
Coinzmans Reef
Active Member
Do you have a co2 meter in your room? My fish room can run as high as 1600ppm and as low as 460ppm depending on how many windows in the house are open and for how long. The hottest AC days are the highest levels otherwise we keep most windows open for 12 hours or so, it usually takes a couple hours for the levels to get in the upper 400's
I test with Red Sea to check against my Apex and at times use a Pinpoint all at the same time, all three having different readings. I just take the mean and use it to adjust the daily Apex readings. I am content with any reading between 7.8 and 8.6, I have never been outside this range so no action has been needed.
Randy sums it up here.
www.reef2reef.com
I test with Red Sea to check against my Apex and at times use a Pinpoint all at the same time, all three having different readings. I just take the mean and use it to adjust the daily Apex readings. I am content with any reading between 7.8 and 8.6, I have never been outside this range so no action has been needed.
Randy sums it up here.
Does salt mix have anything to do with pH?
I set my tank up last December and I'm doing a one year re-evaluation to see if there are things I can improve. I use IO reef crystal and my tank pH has been consistently 7.8 - 7.9, regardless of windows open or closed and even after I added a macroalgae refugium. I don't want to chase pH but...
www.reef2reef.com
Last edited:
Assuming your pH meter is accurate, I would recommend you recirculate the air to your skimmer cup chamber. Instead of pulling in fresh air, run a tube from the top of your skimmer to the air inlet of your pump, assuming you can reasonably seal the system. You can also add a CO2 scrubber in between. I'll see if I can grab a few shots of my rig tomorrow, need to change the scrubber media anyway.
Last edited:
