ph/Alkalinity

[jvhou]

I've had a salt water aquarium off and on for the past 10 years. I've always been somewhat successful. Recently I purchased an Neptune Apex. I have a 40 gal AIO. It seems that no matter what I do my pH sits around 7.9. My alkalinity is 183ppm. If I add kalkwasser the pH will go up temporarily and then slow fall back to 7.9. The coral and fish look great, but I would like to start keeping some more difficult corals, so I want to manage the pH better. Any suggestions?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

That pH (7.9) is fine.

If you want to raise it, you will need to remove CO2 from the water, such as with more photosynthesis or aeration with lower CO2 air (outside air or indoor air passed through a scrubber).

This has more:

pH And The Reef Aquarium
http://www.reefedition.com/ph-and-the-reef-aquarium/

 

[MichaelReefer]

Remember, Kalk is not made to raise your PH, it is made to keep it stable. You need to test your alk every day and find out how much you're losing, then dose enough to keep it stable.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Remember, Kalk is not made to raise your PH, it is made to keep it stable. You need to test your alk every day and find out how much you're losing, then dose enough to keep it stable.

I think that answer applies to kalkwasser effects on alkalinity or calcium, but not pH. Many people use it or similar products to raise pH.

 

[MichaelReefer]

I think that answer applies to kalkwasser effects on alkalinity or calcium, but not pH. Many people use it or similar products to raise pH.

ha! Sorry I totally meant to put alk, not sure I put ph. My bad