The "How To" Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners, Part 3: pH

Randy Holmes-Farley · #1 05/06/2007, 10:22 AM

The "How To" Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners, Part 3: pH

has posted at:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-05/rhf/index.php

The contents:

Introduction
What is pH?
What is the Acceptable pH Range for Reef Aquaria?
How is pH Measured?
Carbon Dioxide and pH
The Daily pH Swing
Why Does pH Become Elevated?
Solutions to High pH Problems
Why Does pH Fall?
The Aeration Test
Solutions to Low pH Problems
Low pH Due to CaCO3/CO2 Reactors
Low pH Due to High Indoor Carbon Dioxide Levels
Low pH Due to Low Alkalinity
Summary

I'm writing the final article in the series today.

Happy Reefing.

drummereef · #2 05/06/2007, 09:37 PM

Awesome!

virginiadiver69 · #3 05/07/2007, 05:52 PM

how do I find part 1 and 2

Boomer · #4 05/07/2007, 07:36 PM

Righe here with even more to read

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/past.php

madcowz · #5 05/14/2007, 01:04 PM

First post! I was struggling with high pH (8.8 with pinpoint) due to using limewater (Mrs. Wages) in my 2 gallon ATO bucket. I added 90ml of distilled white vinegar to my ATO bucket (per recommended 45ml per gallon) and now my display water is cloudy. My pH is back to normal range 8.2 but my water was crystal clear before the vinegar. Do you think the cloudy water is from adding too much vinegar? I am going to cut the dose in half tonight to see if that helps but I am afraid my pH will skyrocket again.

Billybeau1 · #6 05/18/2007, 01:48 AM

Well, first, I don't know how this thread got opened AGAIN.

This is an informational thread and should be closed to posting.

madcowz, first

[welcome]

We would have to know what your other important water parameters are. The big three.....Calcium, Alkalinity and Magnesium. Then we should be able to answer your question.

Boomer · #7 05/18/2007, 11:08 AM

Billy Randy usually dose not close these threads. Most of his announcement article threads are open. He leaves them open open for comments. The thread that is locked and close is the Reef Chemistry Articles.

Billybeau1 · #8 05/18/2007, 12:16 PM

See what old age gets ya. My memory is going ......

gdonate · #9 05/19/2007, 03:04 PM

excellen thread... answered alot of questions I had and solved some ongoing problems!
Thanks Randy!

madcowz · #10 05/21/2007, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Billybeau1
Well, first, I don't know how this thread got opened AGAIN.

This is an informational thread and should be closed to posting.

madcowz, first

To Reef Central

We would have to know what your other important water parameters are. The big three.....Calcium, Alkalinity and Magnesium. Then we should be able to answer your question.

Sorry about missing this post. I dropped the vinegar dose down to 60ml and now my water is crystal.

pH 8.3
dKH 9
Cal 430ppm
Mag 1250ppm

All tests Salifert besides pH

Billybeau1 · #11 05/21/2007, 07:56 PM

Doesn't get much better then that.

lessans · #12 05/27/2007, 04:47 PM

I'm trying to find a system of additives to use on my reef tank to maintain stable pH, Alk, Mg, and Ca 2+. I read your article, Randy Holmes-Farley, and I'm ashamed to say I've been using a pH buffer and Alk buffer w/o any regards to the Calcium ion level in my tank. I read in your article that it's better and safer to add a two part Calcium ion and Alk additive than using buffer salts. I already own Kent Marine Tectra-CB Part A & B, but never really noticed a difference when I used it. I have no SPS, one LPS, and several soft corals. What additive would you recommend?

Here are my levels as of the last hour:

Ca 2+: 380 ppm
pH: a little less than 8.0
Mg: 1245 ppm
Alk: 7.8 dKh

Billybeau1 · #13 05/28/2007, 08:31 AM

Randy is no longer answering questions in this forum.

Since your pH is low, have you considered dripping limewater ?

As far as 2-parts, B-Ionic, ESV or Warner Marine make good 2-parts.

Give this a read

What your grandmother never told you about lime
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.htm

lessans · #14 05/28/2007, 04:53 PM

Thanks, Billybeau1. I'm still skeptical of using kalkwasser b/c I'm limited in space for a dripper within the stand and I'm still trying to figure out if I would drip dose or dissolve a small amount of lime in a pitcher of top-off water every time I would replenish the water in my system. Also, I can't figure out if it would be easier to just add a 2 part additive like the ones you suggested or use lime water.

Billybeau1 · #15 06/02/2007, 01:09 AM

Some folks get away with just limewater, some need limewater and 2-part. Then even some don't use limewater at all and dose 2-part.

All depends on your equipment and patience.

lessans · #16 06/02/2007, 05:08 PM

I'm trying now to drip lime water, but I have to see if the drip box at the LFS will fit on top of my sump. The box at the store is 11" L by 6.5" W by 7" H and I might have to push some cords to the side and possibly get a longer tube to attach to my UV lamp device. This is kind of a pain in the but to have to change things around. Does it seem reasonable or not that the LFS charges $50 for this custom acrylic dosing box? IDK how much custom acrylic boxes usually go for?

sditch · #17 06/04/2007, 02:09 PM

Very Nice Article Randy, I printed it out and read it before I went to bed last night. I off now to see why my P.H. likes to stay around 8.0 durning the day with buffers.

I think my AC3 with the PH and ORP probes is one of the best investments i have made on learning the chemisty on marine water

Thanks again and great info

Randy Holmes-Farley · #18 06/07/2007, 07:14 AM

Thanks, I'm glad you liked it.