I think i just really screwed up, HELP!

[Roy 9121]

I was trying to get my PH up, as it was only 7.7. So i bought some PH buffer at my LFS and thought i read the instructions. But because my eyes arent what they use to be, and the print on the bottle was so small, i didnt see where it said to mix the powder with water and i just put it right in my tank. Now ask my corals are closed up and stunt open. What do i do Now?

 

[ReefBuzz]

I would do a big water change for good measure

 

[Roy 9121]

I would do a big water change for good measure

Probably not a bad idea. I'll do that tomorrow.

 

[prsnlty]

Probably not a bad idea. I'll do that tomorrow.

I would do that asap. The sooner the better.

 

[lion king]

Test your ph and go from there. The damage is already done, as long as your ph is good your best bet is to let it ride.

 

[saltyhog]

Agree with WC asap. I would avoid using additives to "increase pH". They usually have a very short term effect and are not the answer. There are lots of stories of problems people have had from chasing pH numbers. The only reason I know what mine is is because my controller came with a pH probe.

 

[Merck]

If you have a extra powerhead pump put it in, test your ph tomorrow.

 

[jgvergo]

I would do that asap. The sooner the better.

+1

 

[prsnlty]

Agree with WC asap. I would avoid using additives to "increase pH". They usually have a very short term effect and are not the answer. There are lots of stories of problems people have had from chasing pH numbers. The only reason I know what mine is is because my controller came with a pH probe.

Exactly.

I had low ph for a long time. But once my ca and alk was in proper balance and stable my ph came up where it should be by itself. It took my alk running stable at 9 and ca at 420-440 to have a ph of 8.3. Every tank is different. Buffers are temporary.

Fast swings are damaging to coral particularly to sps.

 

[Roy 9121]

I would do that asap. The sooner the better.

I can't do it tonight, with i could.

 

[Roy 9121]

Agree with WC asap. I would avoid using additives to "increase pH". They usually have a very short term effect and are not the answer. There are lots of stories of problems people have had from chasing pH numbers. The only reason I know what mine is is because my controller came with a pH probe.

How else can i raise the PH in my tank?

 

[TbyZ]

I'd start with an optometrist appointment.

 

[prsnlty]

There are a few great PH articles here http://reef2reef.com/threads/randys-reef-chemistry-articles.174821/ such as
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-05/rhf/index.php
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-06/rhf/index.php
and
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/may2002/chem.htm By Randy.

You can also as an airline to the air intake of your skimmer and the great outdoors or open a window if close and weather permits. Another is a co2 scrubber.

 

[saltyhog]

How else can i raise the PH in my tank?

First, make sure that the way you're checking it is reliable. Second....don't check it if it bothers you that it's lower than other peoples tanks. JK

pH is mostly about the equalibrium between the CO2 levels in the ambient air where the tank is and the water in our tank if the foundation parameters are ok. Have 20-30 people over to your house and watch what happens to your pH. Mine drops by 0.2 or sometimes a little more. So, find a way to lower the CO2 in your house/tank (open some windows if the weather permits, run an airline from your skimmer to the outside air, etc.).

 

[malira]

To piggyback off saltydog. If you have a skimmer you can run the airline outside for fresher air, less C02. There are article on that. You should running the air past a carbon filter.

 

[Macdaddynick1]

Probably not a bad idea. I'll do that tomorrow.

BAD IDEA! Do the water change ASAPif your ph is high. This is one of the few things that can crash a tank pretty quickly. And just for the good measure never put the powder into the tank, Always mix stuff in some rodi before dosing. Also I don't agree, with "don't chase the ph train" 7.7 is low, if you want, run the airline outside from the skimmer that should help a bit. Then you can pick up yourself a 5 gallon bucket 20 dollar aqualifter and an electronic timer, you can use that to dose kalkwasser for 1-2- or 3 minutes every hour, to closely compensate for the evaporation, it will raise your ph, ca alk and will top off your tank.

 

[Davinci]

Yes Water change ASAP. Depends on how much you added. I know Right now might be really hard to do a water change, I would just wait till tomorrow if there no other choice. but yeah water change is the only fix.

 

[Larry Stewart]

My suggestion would be to blast water flow over the corals to remove the residual pH chemical.... However, performing water changes with help stabilize your parameters. Your goal seem to be finding a solution to increase your pH or obtain a higher pH. There are other factors that play a role in pH values lower than 8.0. What are your other parameters? And why are you raising you pH? Is there any signs of your livestock deteriorating or dying due to a pH value lower than 8.0? Having the other missing parts to your water chemistry will help equip you with the must need information. Take care and please keep us all updated.

- Larry

 

[Roy 9121]

Yes Water change ASAP. Depends on how much you added. I know Right now might be really hard to do a water change, I would just wait till tomorrow if there no other choice. but yeah water change is the only fix.

I didnt over dose it, just didnt do it the right way.

 

[Roy 9121]

I'd start with an optometrist appointment.

Maybe some reading glasses are in order.