can i use this to raise my pH?

sir_dudeguy · #1 06/04/2006, 10:04 PM

hey, i just reallized that my freshwater pH test comes w/a pH UP bottle...

heres the link to it the test kit...

http://www.petsmart.com/global/produ...N=2030152&Ne=2

My question is...since my pH is kinda low in my saltwater tank, could i use this next time i do a PWC to bring it up? I really dont know, since its a freshwater test kit. Would it even bring it up that high? and if anyone has a picture of the little color chart that you hold the test tube up to to read it...please post it...i've lost mine.

thanks!
mike

mg426 · #2 06/04/2006, 11:27 PM

I have no idea about that kit. Since it is for fresh water I would be cautious about using anything related to it. Your best bet would be to get a PH monitor for your SW system. If you cant swing a monitor Look into a Salifert SW PH kit. As for raising your PH take a look in the chemistry forum under articles by Randy Holmes Farley. Accurate info is very important here. Using Buffers to controll (raise or lower Ph) Is not the best idea. What is your PH??

sir_dudeguy · #3 06/05/2006, 12:04 AM

ya, i was kinda cautious about putting it in my tank too (which is why i asked!!)

thanks for the reference to the article...i'll check that out right now. My pH is at 7.7 now...not terribly low from what i've heard, but i wanna get it to 8.0 at least, because in the future i wanna actually get some corals and stuff that are kinda picky about that (i'm not getting them BECAUSE they're picky...lol i just like them and they happen to be!)

thanks

staticfishmonger · #4 06/05/2006, 04:40 AM

you can use baking soda which is cheap and effective. check out the chemistry forum for more info on the subject then you could ever want.

Paintbug · #5 06/05/2006, 09:30 AM

pH Up is for FW or SW. but i wouldnt use it either. i dont really trust those test kits either.

first thing i would do is go to the LFS and have them check the pH of your water. if its the same, then use this article on how to raise it, and reasons that cause low pH. http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.php

Ti · #6 06/05/2006, 11:36 AM

use baking soda, works and it's cheap.
Baking soda will have a PH of 8.1

theop · #7 06/05/2006, 12:04 PM

You also need to test your alkalinity.

Take a look here:
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.php

sir_dudeguy · #8 06/05/2006, 12:18 PM

paintbug
I dont test w/that test kit. I just got it when i bought my 55...the guy gave me like, 300 bucks worth of stuff...and then the tank, stand, filter, powerheads etc...for 200 lol. It was a pretty dang good deal. But yea, that was just what came w/it, i never used it before. I always go to the lfs to get my pH tested..they have one of those things thats like...ahh i dont knwo what they're called..like some electronic thing??? idk, but its always been acurate to what people i know say.

sir_dudeguy · #9 06/05/2006, 12:26 PM

on that article, it meantioned macroalgae...is chaeto a macroalgae? if so, i'm gonna be getting a hang on fuge one friday w/some chaeto...think it'll help at all?

Paintbug · #10 06/05/2006, 12:49 PM

that will help with the pH swing, and it should keep it on the higher side of the swing. but if you are at 7.7 now, and thats as high as it goes, i dont thing the fuge will help that much. there several things that play in to the factor of pH. things like alkalinity, and calcium levels play a big part. if the room you house the tank in has a high level of CO2, that can be a huge effect. not having enough flow in the tank, and/or surface agitation will also effect it. you will need to find the root of the problem before a permanent fix will be found. first thing i would try is the areation test mentioned in the arctile i posted. that will either confirm or rule out CO2 being the problem. you can also talk with Randy in the chemistry forum, hes pretty much THEMAN when it comes to chemistry in an aquarium.

kevin2000 · #11 06/05/2006, 02:22 PM

Remember that PH fluctuates throughout the day/night and in the vast majority of cases all you really need to do is insure that you have adequate alkalinity and provide adequate aeration/water movement to insure that the alkalinity can do its job. In short ... when you have a PH issue the first question you should ask yourself is "whats my alk level" .. that means having an alk test which gives you measurable results (not the high/OK/low idiot light test kits that some purchase).

Heres a couple of links that may help.
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.php

Good luck.