alk probs

[orion80]

alk probs
I have read both the reef central and the advanced aquarium online magazine threads on alk/ calcium probs, and well they have not really helped in my problem. So here it goes,

My ph is really low 7.8 with the lights on, my alk is throught the roof sitting at 5.71 mq/l or 16 dkh and my calcim is at like 290. So I know to add just stright calcium to move increase my calcium levels, but will this help bring up my ph.

Only recent changes was added a bunch of sps frags to system and have temporarily stopped useing my kalk drip. B/c I am in the middle of adding another tank to my system. Just recently added 2-150watt hqi hm w/ 2-96 watt atinics.

I also did a 20gln water change when I noticed the bad test results, and even a day after the water change my results were the same low ph, high alk, and low calcium.

Current tank is a 75 gln with a 35 gln sump/refuge with 110 lbs live rock and about 160 lbs live sand between fuge and tank.


Any and all suggestions welcome.
Thanx in advance.

Adolph Z.

ps have no way at the moment to test magnesium, and have just added an air pump in case my water is high in co2.

Figured I would first srt by adding some liquid calciuim, to raise it /drop alk, and then resart my alk drip in the hopes this will bring my ph back up.

Any advice apprciated.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

So I know to add just stright calcium to move increase my calcium levels, but will this help bring up my ph

You need to solve one problem at a time. You need to first raise the calcium with calcium chloride.

Then deal with the pH problem.

The ways to raise the pH include more aeration and using a very high pH balanced calcium and alkalinity additive such as limewater or B-ionic.

Are you using tap water?

Have you measured calcium and alkalinity in your fresh salt mix?

[orion80]

I am suprised, that I actually figured out what I should b doing, I have now added some calcium, and will add more to get it where I want it over the next few days, do not want to add it all in one day.
After reading some more of your posts last night I added a air pump to add more o2 too the water.

Thanx for your help Randy

Adolph Zimmerman
Regina,Saskatchewan

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You're welcome.


Good luck.

[orion80]

So i have been able to get my ca up to the 450 range, and my alk has dropped to about 12 dkh, and I have sarted to drip kalk again, so that should b stable. But my ph is still low midddle of the night it is sitting at 7.74 and during the day tops out at about 7.95. Is their a way now to bring up just my ph without bring up my alk??

would staight vinager wrk to do this. So far all the buffers I have bring up both my ph and alk, but the ph drops back down to what it was soon after. I have recalibrated my ph monitor 3 times, still get the same readings could it b that the probe is shot??

Adie

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Vinegar will drop the pH.

Limewater is the best way to raise pH, followed by aeration with fresh (outside) air.

If you are using limewater and the pH remains low, then either the pH measurement is in error, or your home has a lot of excess CO2 in it. If the probe calibrates OK, then it is unlikely that the probe itself has problems, although the calibration fluids could well be off.

[kev apsley]

I had a similar problem...if your tank is near a window open it up for a few hours to let fresh air into the room to see if that helps as well.