High alk and low pH

nicholascalo · 01/05/2018, 02:55 PM

Hey I have a 12 gal JBJ. I test regularly with salifert and always get KH around 11, but pH around 8.0. I use IO salt and have tested that at 8.2. I am now using a marine buffer to increase the pH to 8.3 but wasn't sure why my KH was so high, or why once in my tank the pH of the water drops. I haven't been adding part A of the ionic solution because my KH is so high. Do I need to worry about the high KH? Thanks!

nereefpat · 01/05/2018, 04:13 PM

pH of 8.0 isn't low.

The "marine buffer" you are using only temporarily raises pH, and it raises alkalinity.

The KH is more important. So track that, and don't worry about the pH.

bertoni · 01/05/2018, 04:19 PM

To Reef Central

I agree that pH at 8.0 is fine. That's actually good for a tank in a house. A lot of Tanks of the Month run at 7.8.

The alkalinity level should be safe. I would avoid letting it get any higher, though.

The Marine Buffer product raises the pH temporarily by consuming carbon dioxide out of the water, but aeration will bring the pH back down fairly quickly in most systems. In addition, it has some borate in it (or did), which will confuse alkalinity testing results. Borate raises alkalinity, but it is not consumed by corals, which can be an issue over time. Marine Buffer probably is safe enough, though.

nicholascalo · 01/08/2018, 08:22 PM

Thanks so much!

bertoni · 01/08/2018, 09:15 PM

You're welcome. Good luck!

01/05/2018, 02:55 PM	#1
nicholascalo Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Wilmington NC Posts: 13	High alk and low pH Hey I have a 12 gal JBJ. I test regularly with salifert and always get KH around 11, but pH around 8.0. I use IO salt and have tested that at 8.2. I am now using a marine buffer to increase the pH to 8.3 but wasn't sure why my KH was so high, or why once in my tank the pH of the water drops. I haven't been adding part A of the ionic solution because my KH is so high. Do I need to worry about the high KH? Thanks!

01/05/2018, 04:13 PM	#2
nereefpat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Central Nebraska Posts: 3,190	pH of 8.0 isn't low. The "marine buffer" you are using only temporarily raises pH, and it raises alkalinity. The KH is more important. So track that, and don't worry about the pH. __________________ Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers

01/05/2018, 04:19 PM	#3
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	*To Reef Central* I agree that pH at 8.0 is fine. That's actually good for a tank in a house. A lot of Tanks of the Month run at 7.8. The alkalinity level should be safe. I would avoid letting it get any higher, though. The Marine Buffer product raises the pH temporarily by consuming carbon dioxide out of the water, but aeration will bring the pH back down fairly quickly in most systems. In addition, it has some borate in it (or did), which will confuse alkalinity testing results. Borate raises alkalinity, but it is not consumed by corals, which can be an issue over time. Marine Buffer probably is safe enough, though. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

01/08/2018, 09:15 PM	#5
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	You're welcome. Good luck! __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

01/08/2018, 08:22 PM	#4
nicholascalo Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Wilmington NC Posts: 13	Thanks so much!