Low PH help

[beaslbob]

I could setup a refugium in a hob filter. Would that help much?

Adding macro algae in any form would help.

 

[Amado]

Use kalkwasser it will raise your PH
But before you do that make sure your numbers are correct. Get a test from you LFS or use another test kit

 

[lilgrounchuck]

If a co2 rich, o2 deprived environment is the culprit and skimmers, sumps, etc are out of the question you could try an oxydator. They use hydrogen peroxide and a catalyst (I think it’s a ceramic ring) and it releases pure o2 into the water column. There are commercially available ones, though I think they’re all from Germany, but you can DIY one pretty simple. Nothing to plug in or overflow and flood either, though it may not look the best if you can’t find a way to hide it.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

My ph is always around 7.8 should I be trying to raise it? If so, what can I dose it with that don't raise my alkalinity as well

Alkalinity - 10.5
Calcium - 480
Magnesium - 1170

pH 7.8 as the daily low is OK. Lower becomes a lot less desirable.

I'd personally raise it a bit, but many folks would not bother.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

If a co2 rich, o2 deprived environment is the culprit and skimmers, sumps, etc are out of the question you could try an oxydator. They use hydrogen peroxide and a catalyst (I think it’s a ceramic ring) and it releases pure o2 into the water column. There are commercially available ones, though I think they’re all from Germany, but you can DIY one pretty simple. Nothing to plug in or overflow and flood either, though it may not look the best if you can’t find a way to hide it.

That device will not have any impact on pH, which has nothing to do with O2, only CO2. Adding O2 does not lower CO2.

 

[lilgrounchuck]

That device will not have any impact on pH, which has nothing to do with O2, only CO2. Adding O2 does not lower CO2.

I’ll take your word for it seeing as you’re much smarter than I am in this area, but that makes me wonder why folks with low ph or swings (especially in basement tanks) are advised to add a skimmer/air stone/etc, often with a recommendation of running the line outside to oxygenate the water to increase or keep the ph stable?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’ll take your word for it seeing as you’re much smarter than I am in this area, but that makes me wonder why folks with low ph or swings (especially in basement tanks) are advised to add a skimmer/air stone/etc, often with a recommendation of running the line outside to oxygenate the water to increase or keep the ph stable?

I and others advise that because of the CO2. It is not to oxygenate the water, or at least that is not the effect that alters pH. It is to drive off excess CO2, regardless of whether that raises or lowers O2.