PH help. I opened my windows

[rogergolf66]

Well if you can help you know what happened. it is 8.8. that is as high as my test kit goes anyway. it was always low at 8.0-8.2.

what do I do?

Also how damaging is this to my fish, clam, inverts, SPS,LPS,softies?

Thanks

Roger

[benf]

Roger, are u testing with a kit or is it from a probe?

[rogergolf66]

kit?

does it mater?

[boydx6]

I would borrow a kit or ph meter from someone to check and see if yours is reading correct.

[checkinhawk]

i had my windows open all day and never saw a high reading.i have the probe on the AC jr and it was just calibrated the other day,i think your kit was bad or you did something wrong with the test.did you retest it yet?

[rogergolf66]

I didn't retest it but I used the kit just 4 days ago before opening the windows and I got a normal reading of 8.1

Why does it always have to be the test kit being bad?

Well lets go at it this way if it really is 8.8 and my test kit is right what should I do?

and

how long will my fish, corals ect. be ok with that high of a PH?

[rogergolf66]

ok well just redid the test and got the same results 8.8

also just to see if I would get the same reading I tested my RO water I got 7.4 that is as low as the test kit will read.

so

lets assume that my test kit is working fine. help me out what do I do. No stores are open to get PH down.

Roger

[checkinhawk]

i imagine a water change will help bring it down some.

[rogergolf66]

I just changed 30% of the water yesterday.

I just reread the artical on PH in cemistry forum. I am going to bring the powerhead higher in the tank to get more air into the tank. Which dosn't make sence to me but that is what I got out of the article.

Did I read it right?

Roger

[rogergolf66]

alk 2.5meq/L or
cal 435

well from what I understand alk is low so I should add some baking soda?

[benf]

if u try to add alk the ph will go up even higher...adding alk raises ph

[tangwang]

If your alkalinity is 2.5 meq/L, that means you have a DkH of 7, which is perfect, imo... I'm not sure I fully understand your post.. You opened your windows and that caused your ph to go up? At any rate, I would definitely question the test kit. What brand is it? Alot of hobbyist kits are fairly inaccurate, IMO..

[reefrubble]

you must of had a CO2 build up in your house . When you opened the windows the CO2 dropped , and your ph came up . If your house is tight you can get a build up of CO2 . Ted

[ichthyman]

I am going to bring the powerhead higher in the tank to get more air into the tank. Which dosn't make sence to me but that is what I got out of the article.

Their intent is to bring down the pH by incorporating more CO2 from the surrounding environment. However, by opening up the house you have vented the excess CO2 from it and this trick may not work.

well from what I understand alk is low so I should add some baking soda?

Baking soda will increase the pH, actually it lowers it first but that is only temporary, as well as the alkalinity. BTW, 2.5meq/L is fine don't mess with right now.

Even if we assume the test kit is correct, most hobbyist kits are not, unless the animals appear to be in distress I would do nothing but observe. If you feel you need to do something then close a window or two.

[rogergolf66]

well I closed the door and windows to the fish room. I will test PH again when I get home.

Thanks everyone.


I did my best reading the chemistry forum but I did get confused alittle as you can tell.

Roger

[reefrubble]

Thanks John, I just said what caused the problem , you gave him the answer he was looking for . Ted

[The Hawk'ster]

Originally posted by reefrubble
Thanks John, I just said what caused the problem , you gave him the answer he was looking for . Ted

I guess it is up to you veterans now to help out the locals who seek knowledgeable advise for help since those punks PO some very experienced hobbyist and others who do not want to post on this forum do to that. I say TBRC lost anywhere from 30 70yrs experience in the hobby.

Just my observation I do not see any of those "know it all" offering any insight, suggestion, adivse or guidance to this forum.

Yes, and I thought twice before I hit the submit button

[reefrubble]

Nice.

[markandkristen]

mine got up to 8.5 yesterday ..
im just going to watch mine and see what happens.
i always though my ph problem was the CO2 in the room

[benf]

I know my low ph is due to the high CO2 in the house, it has been nice to see a ph above 7.9.

[rogergolf66]

is that one day of reading ben?

[benf]

about a day and a half

[Me No Nemo]

As John and others noted: opening up the windows/doors will raise the PH. Here's an example: during the summer the PH in my coral/fish room would read on my Aquacontroller 8.4 at about 10 am. Once customers start strolling in the PH began to drop. In the summer, with the building shut up tight, the PH would often drop from 8.4 to 7.8 between 10 am and 2 pm. We put in a stationary wall vent to draw in outside air cooled by the A/C unit and that helped some. Then we hooked up our protein skimmers to draw in outside air and that helped keep the PH drop to about 8.0. Here's how we knew the cause. We tested the CO2 by taking a bucket of the tank water and airing it with a venturi powerhead in the display room and the PH didn't rise. We then took the venturi outside and the PH jumped pretty quick. This is a great way to figure out if the inside air is affecting the PH due to CO2 buildup. Now, with the doors open to the store the PH is staying up around 8.4-8.6 during the day, so you're probably seeing that same phenomena with your system. I think you're doing right by closing the doors and windows and then monitoring the PH again. I agree with the above posters...many of the test kits can be inaccurate and in this case, unless you see stress in the tank you shouldn't jump to make adjustments until you are sure of the problem. GL! Marcye

[rogergolf66]

Well thanks to everyone that helped me out with this. Including the two LFS for taking your time to type out this info for me. it was very help full.

Roger

[ladyfsu]

3 answered and it was very nice of them