Very low PH Kalkwasser

[Shayne D]

Hi all, I am getting readings as low as 7.1PH at night on an old but calibrated apex lab grade probe. On the Seneye with a new slide i am getting as low as 7.7ph . I feel i need to address this problem. I am thinking of running a C02 scrubber as i have the media. However this will get expensive long term.
What i would like to know is if i was to just put in 1/2 a tee spoon of Kalk for every gallon of rodi top up water i use, will this do anything substantial to raise the PH ? Will this amount add a substantial amount of alk and calcium to my tank? I run a calcium reactor which is dialed in perfectly and I dont really want to mess with my alk and cal levels . I have tried previously using baked baking soda and the PH raise on the probe was so small and for such a short period of time that its wasn't even worth baking it. My ph during the day is only 8.00-8.1. By the way has anyone else compared the ph readings of the seneye and the ph readings of the apex and noticed a great difference? My probe may need replacing.
thanks

 

[CORALUST]

Hi all, I am getting readings as low as 7.1PH at night on an old but calibrated apex lab grade probe. On the Seneye with a new slide i am getting as low as 7.7ph . I feel i need to address this problem. I am thinking of running a C02 scrubber as i have the media. However this will get expensive long term.
What i would like to know is if i was to just put in 1/2 a tee spoon of Kalk for every gallon of rodi top up water i use, will this do anything substantial to raise the PH ? Will this amount add a substantial amount of alk and calcium to my tank? I run a calcium reactor which is dialed in perfectly and I dont really want to mess with my alk and cal levels . I have tried previously using baked baking soda and the PH raise on the probe was so small and for such a short period of time that its wasn't even worth baking it. My ph during the day is only 8.00-8.1. By the way has anyone else compared the ph readings of the seneye and the ph readings of the apex and noticed a great difference? My probe may need replacing.
thanks

Do you have a refugium and protein skimmer??? Since you are using a calcium reactor, try putting the exit tube in your protein skimmer to help raise your Ph. You do not have to stress over your low Ph. If everything looks good,, then do not stress.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

The probe needs replacing or you have a crazy co2 problem. That's a big swing.

And yup, if everything looks good, don't stress.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

There's no chance the pH in a normal reef tank is 7.1. Some folks have issues with both the Apex and the Seneye.

 

[Shayne D]

Thanks Randy, It seems a bit extreme to be honest. I have a question please Randy. At what PH does coral skeleton dissolve. Wouldn't it be anything below 7 PH? Isn’t 7 ph totally neutral? If so why can people run there PH in there calcium reactor and dissolve coral skeleton when there ph is above 7? Is this only due to calcium reactor probe calibration issues? or is a PH of 7 acidic for coral skeleton as a substance if that makes sense?
I have ordered a new probe. I watched a bulk reef supply video on you tube about increasing growth and Ryan suggested that after adding a C02 reactor his alk and cal consumption doubled. Might be BS. Thanks will post my findings when i decide what route to take.

 

[Shayne D]

 

[Shayne D]

 

[Shayne D]

Even with a new slide on the seneye the ph is getting below 7.7. It winter at the moment with the gas heater running. I will post some results when i start using the c02 scrubber.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks Randy, It seems a bit extreme to be honest. I have a question please Randy. At what PH does coral skeleton dissolve. Wouldn't it be anything below 7 PH? Isn’t 7 ph totally neutral? If so why can people run there PH in there calcium reactor and dissolve coral skeleton when there ph is above 7? Is this only due to calcium reactor probe calibration issues? or is a PH of 7 acidic for coral skeleton as a substance if that makes sense?
I have ordered a new probe. I watched a bulk reef supply video on you tube about increasing growth and Ryan suggested that after adding a C02 reactor his alk and cal consumption doubled. Might be BS. Thanks will post my findings when i decide what route to take.

Aragonite skeletons (and live rock and sand) will begin to potentially dissolve around pH 7.6-7.7 or so, depending on alkalintiy and other factors. But it may be very slow at that pH. THe lower you go the faster it will dissolve.