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01/05/2018, 02:55 PM | #1 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Wilmington NC
Posts: 13
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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!
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01/05/2018, 04:13 PM | #2 |
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Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Central Nebraska
Posts: 3,190
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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.
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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 |
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Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Mountain View, CA, USA
Posts: 88,616
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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.
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Jonathan Bertoni |
01/08/2018, 08:22 PM | #4 |
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Wilmington NC
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Thanks so much!
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01/08/2018, 09:15 PM | #5 |
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Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Mountain View, CA, USA
Posts: 88,616
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You're welcome. Good luck!
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Jonathan Bertoni |
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