Ph Levels

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My average ph is 7.7. I have purchased kalk from BRS but I want to make sure I am doing everything possible to raise it without dosing.

125
I have a SRO 2000 skimmer that I run overnight only. When its running ph gets up to 7.8.
2 SP15 powerheads
 
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You could try running tubing from your skimmers muffler to the outside thus drawing in air that has < co2.

Kalk will raise your pH.

Or you can go the co2 scrubber route. That's what I had to do. There are ways to make the sodasorb last long enough to make it feasible.
 
This question continues to bedevil me. I have two lines from outside through BRS CO2 reactors and my best pH is only ever 7.95 I don't know if this is a result of being at sea level or pollution/ global warming. The only thing I haven't been able to figure out how to do is set up an airstone to draw air from outside. Good luck, I'm following for sure.
 
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I would try running the skimmer constantly for a week or two to see where you top out before I went any further. I know my PH would be extremely low only running mine overnight.
 
Running anything outside is not an option, far too many risks involved. Would adding another powerhead or angling the existing more towards the top to create more breaking of the surface have any impact?
 
divetoday said:
This question continues to bedevil me. I have two lines from outside through BRS CO2 reactors and my best pH is only ever 7.95 I don't know if this is a result of being at sea level or pollution/ global warming. The only thing I haven't been able to figure out how to do is set up an airstone to draw air from outside. Good luck, I'm following for sure.
Click to expand...
Try doing this if you want. In one pic I'm pointing to the top of the skimmers collection cup. There I drilled a bit larger hole and inserted a nylon elbow. Silicone tubing connects it to the scrubber.
In the other picture I'm pointing to where the scrubber is connected to the skimmers air inlet (at it's muffler). This creates a loop of moist air drawn from the top of the skimmer cup-> then into the scrubber-> then into the skimmer. So the air drawn from the top of the skimmer is already lower in co2.
It makes no difference which fitting on the scrubber you connect the collection cup hose or the skimmer air inlet hose. The skimmer will always draw air in through its air inlet, the only difference it will make is which direction the air flows through you scrubber, either from the top to bottom or from bottom to top. The added bonus to this configuration is you're drawing moist air through the co2 absobant media, thus extending its life by quite a bit.

20170829_072621.jpg


20170829_072607.jpg
 
Hmm....drawing air from outside worked for me and many others on here. It is simple and effective. I agree with Scurvy though. Start small. Try running the skimmer 24/7 a couple weeks, see if it improves. Try more surface agitation, etc. If it doesn't improve, then it is most likely the CO2 level in your home (there's a way to test that), so these methods won't work. If outside air is not an option, then the scrubber may be the way to go, but has an on going cost and maintenance to go with it.
 
AS
If you do install outside air intake, make sure the ID of the tube is at least 1/2". Couple it down to a short piece of tube the diameter of your muffler within inches of your muffler to enable better airflow. Make sure you screen off the opening of the intake outside (bug deterrent).
 
I was at the 7.9 ceiling and now my pH runs between 8.1 and 8.3. I suggest using digital pH monitoring over liquid tests, if you aren't already doing so.
 
Do you have a fuge or can you install one considering you're on the fence of exterior tubing? Personally, my PH is always at 7.8 with no issues, I wouldn't pull my hair out over 7.7
 
AS
@CodyRVA, I have an empty fuge. Once I am done adding fish I will be adding corals so I need to get my PH above 8.
 
Carlon said:
My average ph is 7.7. I have purchased kalk from BRS but I want to make sure I am doing everything possible to raise it without dosing.

125
I have a SRO 2000 skimmer that I run overnight only. When its running ph gets up to 7.8.
2 SP15 powerheads
Click to expand...
I had the same issue. I used vinegar. Look it up. There was s a really good dosing chart and my ph rose slowly and I stopped when it got to where I wanted it 8.3. It has stayed there since then
 
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Carlon said:
@CodyRVA, I have an empty fuge. Once I am done adding fish I will be adding corals so I need to get my PH above 8.
Click to expand...
Fish benefit from a fuge too. I had to install one too. I was of the same notion until a friend convinced my otherwise. Once I got mine dialed in, my tank's health just took off! I haven't had an issue since.
 
Carlon said:
How long has it been since the dosing?
Click to expand...

For limewater/kalkwasser to have a lasting effect, it must be added every day. It just depletes the tank of CO2, but aeration and respiration by organisms continually drives it back in.
 

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