High Ph problems

meemmoo · 01/16/2006, 02:50 PM

I'm having a problem with my Ph in that during the day it climbs to 8.5, but my Alk is at 2.5meq/l. I tried dosing in the morning when the Ph was 8.1 and it would immediately jump to 8.3 and then through out the day it would climb and end up at 8.5 at the end of the day. Then I started adding it at night after a suggestion that it would help keep levels at night up. Now yesterday at the end of the day my Ph was at 8.4 and I knew that if I put in my Alk supplement it would jump to 8.6 as it tends to jump .2 after Alk addition. I use B-Ionic for supplement and can't figure out for the life of me why my Alk is low while my Ph is high.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 01/17/2006, 06:33 AM

How are you measuring pH? It may be an error. More aeration will lower the pH, if it is accurate.

This article has more info:

High pH: Causes and Cures
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-03/rhf/index.htm

meemmoo · 01/17/2006, 07:39 AM

I used to measure Ph with Salifert test kit, but now I have a Ph monitor that I calibrated . I will check it again. Can you clarify how to best aerate. I put in an extra powerhead, but now I think about it is that just putting oxygen into the water instead of carbon dioxide?

Randy Holmes-Farley · 01/17/2006, 11:52 AM

If the pH really is high, you need to drive in CO2. An airstone in a sump, or a skimmer can work.

Make sure the meter is calibrated with one of the fluids that tested OK in this article (some are inaccurate):

A Comparison of pH Calibration Buffers
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-02/rhf/index.htm

meemmoo · 01/19/2006, 03:25 PM

How high is really high? I checked my Ph monitor with a friend and mine read on his tank 8.3 while his read 8.2. So it may be off a bit and I am gonna recalibrate it. After brainstorming and reading about photosynthesis I am wondering if my 2 250Mh's are too much light for my 56g column tank. Seem's like after the lights are on for 5 hours it make the Ph go up to 8.4-8.5.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 01/19/2006, 03:35 PM

I would not do anything special if the pH is at or below 8.5. Mine runs pH 8.3 to 8.5 from morning to night.

01/16/2006, 02:50 PM	#1
meemmoo Moved On Join Date: May 2005 Location: MA Posts: 125	High Ph problems I'm having a problem with my Ph in that during the day it climbs to 8.5, but my Alk is at 2.5meq/l. I tried dosing in the morning when the Ph was 8.1 and it would immediately jump to 8.3 and then through out the day it would climb and end up at 8.5 at the end of the day. Then I started adding it at night after a suggestion that it would help keep levels at night up. Now yesterday at the end of the day my Ph was at 8.4 and I knew that if I put in my Alk supplement it would jump to 8.6 as it tends to jump .2 after Alk addition. I use B-Ionic for supplement and can't figure out for the life of me why my Alk is low while my Ph is high.

01/17/2006, 06:33 AM	#2
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	How are you measuring pH? It may be an error. More aeration will lower the pH, if it is accurate. This article has more info: High pH: Causes and Cures http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-03/rhf/index.htm __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

01/17/2006, 11:52 AM	#4
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	If the pH really is high, you need to drive in CO2. An airstone in a sump, or a skimmer can work. Make sure the meter is calibrated with one of the fluids that tested OK in this article (some are inaccurate): A Comparison of pH Calibration Buffers http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-02/rhf/index.htm __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

01/19/2006, 03:35 PM	#6
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	I would not do anything special if the pH is at or below 8.5. Mine runs pH 8.3 to 8.5 from morning to night. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

01/17/2006, 07:39 AM	#3
meemmoo Moved On Join Date: May 2005 Location: MA Posts: 125	I used to measure Ph with Salifert test kit, but now I have a Ph monitor that I calibrated . I will check it again. Can you clarify how to best aerate. I put in an extra powerhead, but now I think about it is that just putting oxygen into the water instead of carbon dioxide?

01/19/2006, 03:25 PM	#5
meemmoo Moved On Join Date: May 2005 Location: MA Posts: 125	How high is really high? I checked my Ph monitor with a friend and mine read on his tank 8.3 while his read 8.2. So it may be off a bit and I am gonna recalibrate it. After brainstorming and reading about photosynthesis I am wondering if my 2 250Mh's are too much light for my 56g column tank. Seem's like after the lights are on for 5 hours it make the Ph go up to 8.4-8.5.