Water challenge alkalinity and ph

[jmacmillan]

My ro/di water seems to be on he high side of alkaline 12 dkhaverage.
My ph is average of 7.9 -8.1
Challenge is to raise ph without the alkalinity buffering it back down
The Marine water I am making is too high to start with. Switched to instant ocean reef crystal
Same results

 

[redfishbluefish]

I'm confused??? RO/DI water should have virtually no buffering capabilities......ie, no (zero) alkalinity. How are you measuring alkalinity of the RO/DI water?


Oh, and don't chase pH....it's fine at 7.9.

 

[NanaReefer]

^^^^Totally agree and can't express strongly enough about NOT chasing your PH.

 

[cginter]

Alk of 12!???? I don't think your measuring RO/DI water. And what ^^^^^^ said. Don't chase ph.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

FWIW, you cannot accurately measure the pH of 0 ppm TDS water with a normal pH meter or kit or test strip. So don't bother trying.

Do you mean the alkalinity and pH of new salt water?

If you mean the alk of the RO/DI, maybe you are reading the syringe backwards. It takes a lot of liquid added to get to 12 dKH.

 

[jmacmillan]

So sorry I meant the final product of marine water to be added to the display tank. I'm using instant ocean reef crysta. The above post was in reference to that.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

That's the normal alkalinity of that salt mix.

The pH you get will depend on the CO2 in your home air.