Need help with raising PH

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Just add some seachem reef buffer it will raise your ph to 8.3 which is perfect!!

That’s poor advice, to say the least.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Hello,

I have 32 G Biocube. I'm having a strange situation go on. My tank has extremely low PH of 7.1. I'm currently using Apera Instruments' PH meter to measure the PH level (I tested my tap water and it's even higher than my tank's water). My dKH is around 17 which makes me confused about the PH level. I also have the hood off because I can't fit the protein skimmer otherwise. Anybody have any suggestions?

your pH measurement is in error. Double check how you are measuring it.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Ok, I'll try it. Thank you!

Do not follow that advice. It will just raise your already high alkalinity.

 

[kaijor]

your pH measurement is in error. Double check how you are measuring it.

100%. I don't think my PH meter was calibrated correctly. When I recalibrated, I got a PH of 8. I think this should be a more accurate measurement, no?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

100%. I don't think my PH meter was calibrated correctly. When I recalibrated, I got a PH of 8. I think this should be a more accurate measurement, no?

yes, it is definitely more accurate and is fine.

 

[nereefpat]

I'm also getting a digital alk test soon which should make my reading much more accurate.

I would personally trust your current alk kit that uses a titration over a digital one.

 

[Aquanic]

I would personally trust your current alk kit that uses a titration over a digital one.

I’m pretty sure they all use a titration. The digital one just has a laser and optic that measure the color change. I could be wrong, but I’m pretty sure that’s how they work

 

[nereefpat]

I’m pretty sure they all use a titration. The digital one just has a laser and optic that measure the color change. I could be wrong, but I’m pretty sure that’s how they work

To perform a titration for alk, you use a known sample volume, add an indicator dye or use a pH probe, and then measure the volume of acid required to drop the pH to the end point. Alkalinity is, by definition, a titration, so I trust this process more.

The Hanna kit, for example, you add a reagent to a sample, and use a colorimeter (handheld spectrophotometer) to measure the absorbance of a certain wavelength of light.

 

[Aquanic]

To perform a titration for alk, you use a known sample volume, add an indicator dye or use a pH probe, and then measure the volume of acid required to drop the pH to the end point. Alkalinity is, by definition, a titration, so I trust this process more.

The Hanna kit, for example, you add a reagent to a sample, and use a colorimeter (handheld spectrophotometer) to measure the absorbance of a certain wavelength of light.

The more you know. Thanks