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pH on the high side
I have a YWG that began to have a discoloring of the skin. I tested my water and all checks out fine. I took a sample of water to my LFS just to be sure. Everything was normal except the pH which tests at 8.8. Obviosly my test kit is old or crappy or both. At any rate, what is the safest way to lower it? I have been adding about a half teaspoon of Kent Marine's superbuffer-dKH to my 1 gal auto-topoff container. I added this only recently, a few days after my YWG began to have the problem. Do you think the buffer is causing the topoff pH to be too high? My RO water for topoff tests at 6.0. TIA.
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Great spirits often encounter violent opposition from mediocre minds. |
#2
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The value for your alkalinity would be useful to know at this point.
Personally, I'd discontinue the buffer and do some water changes, or perhaps even dose a bit of vinegar, if I was sure about the pH. The vinegar is more risky...
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Jonathan Bertoni |
#3
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I agree. Stop the buffer and measure the alkalinity (and calcium). The RO water does not need to be brought up to tank pH, and in fact, doing so can cause problems (such as excessive alkalinity).
Then we can figure out how to best solve the pH problem. For an emergency correction, a little soda water or vinegar is a good way, but you'll need to accurately measure pH to use either of those. This article may help: Solutions to pH Problems http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...e2002/chem.htm What is a YWG?
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Randy Holmes-Farley |
#4
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I'm guess Yellow Watchman Goby, perhaps because I have a pair I like a lot.
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Jonathan Bertoni |
#5
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Yes, YWG = Yellow watchman goby
My alk tests at 12 dKH and calcium is 410 ppm. I have discontinued the kent buffer. Nothing seems to be adversely affected by the relatively high pH. In fact it seems to be coming down now, tested last night at 8.5. Thanks for the replies, i think i'll wait it out and see what comes of it. If it changes drastically, i will have to take some measures to try and correct it. But for now i'll let it play out.
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Great spirits often encounter violent opposition from mediocre minds. |
#6
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OK, good luck!
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Randy Holmes-Farley |
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