Expired PH Up

[Crimthann]

Yahhhhh.. So apparently some PH up that i just bought from a store expired 3/2005. Of course I notice this right when i spray a nice blast into my tank and it looks nice and chunky. On the bright side i already started filling up a garbage can full of rodi water to do a water change. Anyone know of any side effects I may encounter even after i do a nice 50% water change?

[Henry Bowman]

Ph up? Is it made for saltwater (marine) tanks? Most Salt tanks use a buffer like Seachem Buffer to stabilize Ph.

As far as a water change, I'd do 20% or so. If your ph is much different from the new saltwater you are putting into your tank, you are likely to have real problems. Most marine animals are very sensitive to drastic water changes. In the Chemistry forum, the water chem gurus say to limit the change to .2 when talking about moving ph in the tank within a day or so.

Trash the ph up stuff you have and go to a buffer. Be careful to check alk / dkh when adding a buffer, while watching the pH stabilize with these chemicals, they also add alkalinity to the water. Most reefkeepers target their alk in the 8-10 dkH range. When the alk reaches this range, your pH should begin to stabilize.

I also noticed your tank is "skimmerless" in your signature area. One reason that some tanks have pH challenges is because of Co2 in the water column. The only way for us to drive Co2 down (which is acidic causing the pH to drop) is to areate the tank. Most of us use a protein skimmer which keeps the O2 level increased and helps gass off Co2. WIthout a skimmer, I'd strongly suggest that you put a air difuser (airstone) in the sump or area of high flow that doesnt allow the actual bubbles get into the tank. This would help the pH if adding a buffer doesnt get the pH where you want it.

A good way to check if this is in fact an issue for you, take a cup or so of water out of your tank and run air into it with a stone that produces fine bubbles. Then after 1.5-2 hours, measure the pH of the tankwater and the pH of the water from the cup. If theres a difference (I'll be there is) then you should areate your tank....

Hope that helps.

[Nano Chris]

Well you could return it to the store and get a non expired one, i know i would.