Kalkwasser pH dropping in the container quickly

[Max93]

Hello,

I have a K4 that feeds to my waterbox 220.6 using a kamoer at 7ml/min.

I don’t know if it’s the winter that’s causing it, but I raised it from 5ml/min to 7ml/min and the pH probe in there says 12.5 to 10.9 from one day to the next. The tank ranges from 8.1-8.4 (halides on/off).

I’ve been trying to raise my alk to 7 slowly, but tested at 6.3 about two weeks ago so I raised my kamoer to 7ml versus 5ml.
My alk has been steady at 6.7 now for about a week since I raised the dose.

should I be increasing the kamoer further at this point, increase the concentration, or maybe even start dosing two part as well?

all my acros died so, all I have is a small clam, bunch of zoas and LPS. I’m also running a turf scrubber not sure if that’s decreasing alk.

my main concern is the pH in the kalk container dropping so fast from one day to the next, but this 7ml/min dose seems to be keeping things steady. My monti and birds nest are alive and well though! What should I do ?

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

If the tank stays within the 8.1-8.4,range despite the difference in the container, does it really matter.

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

Water changes?

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

So to be clear. You are measuring the PH of your Kalk solution of RODI water and Kalk? If that is true, it is not a linear transition.
Give my post a quick read and @Randy Holmes-Farley post also. might help out a bit. it did for me.

 

[Max93]

Water changes?

That’s a good point about the pH remaining in range in the tank even if the ph in the k4 is low.

I do water changes infrequently. I used to do them weekly, 55g changes but it felt like it was doing more harm than good.

 

[Max93]

So to be clear. You are measuring the PH of your Kalk solution of RODI water and Kalk? If that is true, it is not a linear transition.
Give my post a quick read and @Randy Holmes-Farley post also. might help out a bit. it did for me.

that’s right, measuring the pH of my kalk solution of rodi and kalk.

which post are you referencing?

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

that’s right, measuring the pH of my kalk solution of rodi and kalk.

which post are you referencing?

LOL.. oops
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/rodi-ph-whats-yours.952765/

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

that’s right, measuring the pH of my kalk solution of rodi and kalk.

which post are you referencing?

If the pH really drops 2 pH units, it implies at 100 fold drop in the potency. That could happen if no new calcium hydroxide is dissolving as the new water is added and removed, but it migth also be test error.

 

[Max93]

If the pH really drops 2 pH units, it implies at 100 fold drop in the potency. That could happen if no new calcium hydroxide is dissolving as the new water is added and removed, but it migth also be test error.

Potential calibration issue?

 

[knockout]

I am leaning toward a test issue, how are you monitoring the pH of the kalkwasser solution? is this a constant check?

 

[Max93]

I am leaning toward a test issue, how are you monitoring the pH of the kalkwasser solution? is this a constant check?

It’s on a Milwaukee pH probe in the kalkwasser solution

 

[knockout]

It’s on a Milwaukee pH probe in the kalkwasser solution

I would recalibrate and/or temporarily replace the probe if one is available and you trust it reads correctly, also is the Kalk being stirred?

 

[Max93]

I would recalibrate and/or temporarily replace the probe if one is available and you trust it reads correctly, also is the Kalk being stirred?

Yeah i trust it reads correctly, but can always recalibrate. The kalk is being stirred, the k4 motor is constantly stirring it.