Still have low PH

[rambolam]

My 24G Nano has been going about 3 months and since day 1, I've always had low PH.


I have added an airstone to my sump(back middle chamber) and that did raise the ph about 1 point.

I need to raise my PH without raising my Alk or Ca. and I can't seem to figure out how. I don't want to continue with Kalk until my Alk and Ca need sublimation

Here are my tank levels.......

PH 7.65 (morning)
PH 7.98 (evening)

Alk 10.6
Ca 440
Mg 1850
Am O
NO2 0
NO3 <10


Also, I have just added a shrimp, and am trying to check my Iodine level via a Salifert test kit. Which reading do I want to use? Iodide or Combined Iodate and Iodine? and at what level should I strive to keep them for my 1 shrimp.


Thanx again

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I personally wouldn't add iodine. IMO, shrimp do not need it. I also wouldn't add iodine to match a target level as I do not have a lot of confidence in iodine kits. That said, target the total iodine value if you choose to use a value.

These articles have more info:

Iodine in Marine Aquaria: Part I
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/mar2003/chem.htm

Iodine in Reef Tanks 2: Effects on Macroalgae Growth
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...l2003/chem.htm

For the pH, how a re you measuring it?

The only two choices are to use limewater, and to provide more aeration with fresh air.

Do not worry about excessive calcium and alkalinity from limewater. Almost never does limewater push them to undesirable levels. As it raises pH, the demand for both will increase, and you may not even notice a rise. Maybe even a drop.

This article has more info:

Low pH: Causes and Cures
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.htm

[rambolam]

I'm useing the pinpoint PH meter, freshly calibrated this morning.....and semi-confirmed with a Salifert PH test kit.

I guess I need to start searching for a cheap dosing pump., There's no shelf over the tank, so I can't use the gravity method....

Dang, there goes more money

[steve the plumb]

I got the tunze ozmolator.I like it alot buy for a tank your size I think its kind of pricy.I would maybe try Aqua Medic.That dosing unit seems to be the cheapest.There maybe something else out there made for nano tanks but I haven't seen one.I did find my ph and alk very stable since I got my tunze unit.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Yes, a dosing pump would be a good method.

[PoriferaBob]

I know this sounds really stupid but.... What exactly is lime water and where can I find it? Is this something you can get from a grocery store or is this something that is actually made for the hobby? How would one know the amount to dose?

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You somehow buy solid calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide, and dissolve it in fresh water to form limewater. It saturates at about 2 tsp per gallon, and folks use that or a bit less, then replace most or all evaporated water with it.

This article has all you'd want to know:

What Your Grandmother Never Told You About Lime
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.htm

[83ironhead]

I evaporate about 2 gals a day. Can I just mix lime with my replacement water and keep it in my water top off tank? I use a water level controller in my sump to add top off water.

[steve the plumb]

You might end up blocking your top off pump.You can do it that way try adding 1 tbls of kalk per gal of top off water.You may find that you pump will block do to the lime water.You may burn the pump.Maybe try to put some kind of filter but that might block.You may try running the hose to a seperate sealed bucket filled with lime water then run that to your tank.Have an in and out 2 small hosessimilar to the tunze dispencer.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Can I just mix lime with my replacement water and keep it in my water top off tank? I use a water level controller in my sump to add top off water.

How much typically gets added at once? Some pumps deliver the limewater too fast.

[83ironhead]

It probably comes on when it's about a half gallon low.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

So it adds a half gallon in a short period of time? That's probably too much limewater to add all at once unless it mixes into the tank very rapidly. Adding 1.25% of the tank volume boosts the pH by 0.6 to 0.7 pH units, so in the sump it will be very high until it flushes out.