Need Help with pH

[Yorto]

Hello Reefers!

I am once again, new to this hobby. Having done saltwater, well over 25 years ago. Back then, the newest technology was canister filters and wet/dry. Now, mostly have given way to sumps/refugiums, and protein skimmers.

Anyway.... I am having a pH problem. I have tested my water, and has the LFS, and it is about 8.1, with the recommendation to bring it up a tad for the Live Rock and coral in my tank. What happened next is a little baffling:

I proceed to add some Sodium Carbonate to increase the pH. After putting the right amount in, (Reef calculators are great!) i noticed a white film on everything in the tank and in the sump. I discovered it was precipitate and had to scrape it all off, the best I could. Some still resides in the sump, and will remove it on the next water change.

It wasn't a finer moment, but crisis resolved. The result was NOT an increase that I had hoped for. I next added a liquid form, pH UP to the tank. The few drops I added (90 gallon) I saw it immediately turn to precipitate and clump to the bottom of the sump.

I'd like to bring my pH up to the 8.2, 8.3 or 8.4 area, the "safe zone." I'm just not sure how to do it. There is a reaction going on that produces this precipitate, and it can produce a "snow" like appearance. what is your recommendation?

Thanks for assisting.

Dave Yorto

 

[Yorto]

Hello Reefers!

I am once again, new to this hobby. Having done saltwater, well over 25 years ago. Back then, the newest technology was canister filters and wet/dry. Now, mostly have given way to sumps/refugiums, and protein skimmers.

Anyway.... I am having a pH problem. I have tested my water, and has the LFS, and it is about 8.1, with the recommendation to bring it up a tad for the Live Rock and coral in my tank. What happened next is a little baffling:

I proceed to add some Sodium Carbonate to increase the pH. After putting the right amount in, (Reef calculators are great!) i noticed a white film on everything in the tank and in the sump. I discovered it was precipitate and had to scrape it all off, the best I could. Some still resides in the sump, and will remove it on the next water change.

It wasn't a finer moment, but crisis resolved. The result was NOT an increase that I had hoped for. I next added a liquid form, pH UP to the tank. The few drops I added (90 gallon) I saw it immediately turn to precipitate and clump to the bottom of the sump.

I'd like to bring my pH up to the 8.2, 8.3 or 8.4 area, the "safe zone." I'm just not sure how to do it. There is a reaction going on that produces this precipitate, and it can produce a "snow" like appearance. what is your recommendation?

Thanks for assisting.

Dave Yorto

 

[redfishbluefish]

First off a pH of 8.1 is pretty good.....but the important point is don't chase pH. Add sodium carbonate (or any other alk supplement) to add alkalinity to your tank.....not to adjust pH....that will take care of itself. Again 8.1 is great....there are may tanks at 7.8 that are successful. Leave it be.

 

[pdiehm]

to echo what redfish just said, I posted a similar question t o Randy because my pH per Apex runs between 7.83-7.96, with an Alkalinity of 9 (tested yesterday).

Was told if I am able to maintain that pH with that Alkalinity then it's ok, not to chase pH.

 

[zesty]

Short answer, don't chase pH.

"The pH of highly successful coral reef aquaria often deviates substantially from pH 8.2 for at least part of the day. In my opinion, the pH range from 7.8 to 8.5 is a acceptable for reef aquaria, with several caveats. These are:"

Taken from:
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-05/rhf/

 

[kendavjac]

I agree, don't chase your pH.
I only took a 5 year break, it is amazing how much the knowledge of this hobby had grown in that short period of time. What used to be correct is now proven wrong. When I first started, nobody could keep hard corals alive in captivity, now i'm having to give it away to make some room in my tank. Welcome back.

 

[Yorto]

Thanks for the replies. Confidence has been restored.

-Dave Yorto

 

[zesty]

I only took a 5 year break, it is amazing how much the knowledge of this hobby had grown in that short period of time. What used to be correct is now proven wrong. When I first started, nobody could keep hard corals alive in captivity, now i'm having to give it away to make some room in my tank. Welcome back.

This hobby moves so fast, it makes me wonder what 5 years from now is going to be.