PH Low and Calcium high

[James72]

Every time I dose bacteria n volka I notice pH dip.

 

[Brew12]

Every time I dose bacteria n volka I notice pH dip.

This makes sense. Most bacteria release CO2 when consuming hydrocarbons/alcohols/sugars. This can cause a slight pH dip until a new equilibrium is reached through your air exchange.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Every time I dose bacteria n volka I notice pH dip.

Vodka, not the bacteria themselves.

When organic molecules such as ethanol are metabolized, CO2 is the end product, lowering pH.

 

[jtietz]

Vodka, not the bacteria themselves.

When organic molecules such as ethanol are metabolized, CO2 is the end product, lowering pH.

Exactly, vodka is a carbon based food source for bacteria. Bacteria use and consume this food source. Don't add a carbon based food source but add just bacteria and it will consume your co2 which will raise your ph.

 

[Shayneoc]

U can do a few things to raise ph
-add a carbon scrubber
-add air stone to sump
- increase bacteria

I'm guessing one of these are referring to one of my favourite toys called the Co2 Scrubber!

I had serious issues with my pH and I know they work within days. A long story short, couldn't move off 7.4 so I added a small Co2 scrubber full to the top with a media named skim breeze. The size of my tank is a small 350ltrs and I go through one full tube every 3 to 4 weeks, the colour changes from white to light purple once it's all used up.

Cheap and works !! I've tried all other things such as powder into aquarium to running a hose outside and even the extreme lengths of leaving the double side doors open freezing the house out to increase this Ph .. nothing seemed to work.

Seriously, give it ago .. although I have 2 Rottweilers 4 kids myself and wife in the room daily.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Exactly, vodka is a carbon based food source for bacteria. Bacteria use and consume this food source. Don't add a carbon based food source but add just bacteria and it will consume your co2 which will raise your ph.

Sorry, that's not correct. Bacteria do not consume CO2 unless they are photosynthetic, and pretty much the only photosynthetic bacteria are cyanobacteria. Nearly all other bacteria produce CO2 .

 

[jtietz]

Then stick to a co2 scrubber i guess

 

[Brew12]

... already answered..

 

[James72]

Vodka, not the bacteria themselves.

When organic molecules such as ethanol are metabolized, CO2 is the end product, lowering pH.

To minimize the pH dip I only dose volka during photoperiod. Does sugar also have the same effect ?

 

[Brew12]

To minimize the pH dip I only dose volka during photoperiod. Does sugar also have the same effect ?

Yup, sure does.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

To minimize the pH dip I only dose volka during photoperiod. Does sugar also have the same effect ?

The only way to avoid the pH drop due to production of CO2 from any organic compound being metabolized is to offset it somehow, such as by dosing something that offsets it.

For example, one can dissolve calcium hydroxide into vinegar and dose that instead of straight vinegar. It won't drop the pH immediately (a small rise) and over time the additional pH drop (if any) is pretty small.

 

[SalimAyoub]

The only way to avoid the pH drop due to production of CO2 from any organic compound being metabolized is to offset it somehow, such as by dosing something that offsets it.

For example, one can dissolve calcium hydroxide into vinegar and dose that instead of straight vinegar. It won't drop the pH immediately (a small rise) and over time the additional pH drop (if any) is pretty small.

What causes low ph In case of stability kh It is not from CO2

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

What causes low ph In case of stability kh It is not from CO2

I'm not sure what you are asking.

Together, the carbonate alkalinity and the CO2 in the water determine the pH exactly. There is nothing else involved.

 

[SalimAyoub]

I'm not sure what you are asking.

Together, the carbonate alkalinity and the CO2 in the water determine the pH exactly. There is nothing else involved.

Im sorry my language is bad [emoji846]
kh is 8
ph is 7.8
PH is low only from co2 ???

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Im sorry my language is bad [emoji846]
kh is 8
ph is 7.8
PH is low only from co2 ???

Yes.

 

[Shayneoc]

Yes.

+1.

You need to do few water changes to lower that KH and if you can't get above 7.8 then invest in a co2 scrubber. I wouldn't recommend adding powder and drilling holes in your walls to run a airline hose to your skimmer. 50 bux for a scrubber will fix that problem.

Although if your right about your KH test results, depending on what you have in your aquarium it's not that bad. Sps tank is no good but fish only will be fine.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

+1.

You need to do few water changes to lower that KH and if you can't get above 7.8 then invest in a co2 scrubber. I wouldn't recommend adding powder and drilling holes in your walls to run a airline hose to your skimmer. 50 bux for a scrubber will fix that problem.

Although if your right about your KH test results, depending on what you have in your aquarium it's not that bad. Sps tank is no good but fish only will be fine.

I don't think 8 dKH is any problem for any reef tank unless it is starved for nutrients (ULNS) in which case letting the alk drop a bit might be beneficial to reduce the chances of burnt tips.

 

[SalimAyoub]

I don't think 8 dKH is any problem for any reef tank unless it is starved for nutrients (ULNS) in which case letting the alk drop a bit might be beneficial to reduce the chances of burnt tips.

Water change every 7 days 10%

 

[SalimAyoub]

Hi Guys
How to use brightwell neo-zeo
In reactor or in socks

 

[SalimAyoub]

Hi Guys
How to use brightwell neo-zeo
In reactor or in socks