Super low pH

Dman · 03/02/2006, 07:53 PM

I've also posted this in the chem forum

I really have no one else to blame for this one 'cept myself.
I calibrated a new pH pen and went to work testing my various systems. Turnd out my 5*50 growout system has a pH of 5.26.

The system consists of 4 50 gallon tanks, 35 gallons of bio-balls and a large protien skimmer. They are bare bottom tanks and recieve minimal water changes on a fairly frequent basis (4-8 gallons per week).
One other system is running around 6.08. the other four systems are within acceptable ranges.
I haven't had a chance to check the rest of the parameters yet as I kinda panicked

Kathy55g · 03/02/2006, 08:03 PM

Somethin's wrong there. Are you sure you calibrated it right? pH is a difficult measurement. Sometimes a new instrument needs to be soaked for 24 hours before it is accurate. What's your alkalinity?
Kathy

Dman · 03/02/2006, 08:29 PM

HERE is the link to the thread in the chem forum.
I figures I would ask here as most of the peeps in the chems forum are used to dealing with reef tanks.
\

Kathy55g · 03/02/2006, 09:33 PM

How are the fish?

NicoleC · 03/02/2006, 10:08 PM

The Hanna pens are awful. Take a sample to the local pet store chain and they'll test it for free. I wouldn't believe the dip test, but at least you'll get in the ballpark.

Morgman · 03/02/2006, 11:22 PM

I have as similar low pH with lots of fish and no substrate. Its a hard one to combat in growout systems. Do a massive water change(90-95%) and if you can use some homemade B-ionic with your top off water. That will help some.

I had some good luck with my brood system by adding sand to pair tanks. This is not really feasable with growout but if you can setup a huge sand sump that may act as a decent buffer. If you do this let me know how it fares.

Dont panic and make a mistake. You fish are adjusted to this pH so bring it up slowly. Dont dump a whole bunch of Kalk in there & think things will be good.

Oh yeah, I tried the CO2 test and it was not the culprit. Yes you can have a radically low pH. I believe ya!!!!

Good luck--

Morgan

slevesque · 03/03/2006, 11:16 AM

Hi Dman, I have never used a PH pen before but I saw they come with 3 different calibration liquid: 10.01 , 7.01, 4.01

Did you use the right one?

Please don't be offended by my simple question

Kathy55g · 03/03/2006, 01:50 PM

I think it is great that you posted this. I wouldn't have thought to check pH. After only running a month or two, my alkalinity is a bit low. Ca is , of course fine with nothing to consume it.

anyway, thanks for alerting us to this potential problem.

Dman · 03/03/2006, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by slevesque
Hi Dman, I have never used a PH pen before but I saw they come with 3 different calibration liquid: 10.01 , 7.01, 4.01

Did you use the right one?

Please don't be offended by my simple question

Unfortunately my pen only came with the two lower ones, which more than likely didn't help. I will be re-calibrating with borax as per Holmes-Farley. I also need to test my alk, but have lost the directions to my Salifert kit, which means a PM to Habib

As for being offended, that's pretty hard to do to me

03/02/2006, 07:53 PM	#1
Dman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 1,158	Super low pH I've also posted this in the chem forum I really have no one else to blame for this one 'cept myself. I calibrated a new pH pen and went to work testing my various systems. Turnd out my 5*50 growout system has a pH of 5.26. The system consists of 4 50 gallon tanks, 35 gallons of bio-balls and a large protien skimmer. They are bare bottom tanks and recieve minimal water changes on a fairly frequent basis (4-8 gallons per week). One other system is running around 6.08. the other four systems are within acceptable ranges. I haven't had a chance to check the rest of the parameters yet as I kinda panicked __________________ Prisoner Number 642 On parol for reefkeeping Currently doing "time" in a medium security breeding facility for the terminally insane Current Tank Info: Most days; too damn many

03/02/2006, 08:29 PM	#3
Dman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 1,158	HERE is the link to the thread in the chem forum. I figures I would ask here as most of the peeps in the chems forum are used to dealing with reef tanks. \ __________________ Prisoner Number 642 On parol for reefkeeping Currently doing "time" in a medium security breeding facility for the terminally insane Current Tank Info: Most days; too damn many

03/02/2006, 10:08 PM	#5
NicoleC Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Madison, AL Posts: 8,877	The Hanna pens are awful. Take a sample to the local pet store chain and they'll test it for free. I wouldn't believe the dip test, but at least you'll get in the ballpark. __________________ Don't count your gobies before they've metamorphasized. Current Tank Info: 40g Indo-Pacific lagoon with tank bred livestock

03/02/2006, 08:03 PM	#2
Kathy55g Moved On Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 3,250	Somethin's wrong there. Are you sure you calibrated it right? pH is a difficult measurement. Sometimes a new instrument needs to be soaked for 24 hours before it is accurate. What's your alkalinity? Kathy

03/02/2006, 09:33 PM	#4
Kathy55g Moved On Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 3,250	How are the fish?

03/02/2006, 11:22 PM	#6
Morgman Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Corona, California Posts: 687	I have as similar low pH with lots of fish and no substrate. Its a hard one to combat in growout systems. Do a massive water change(90-95%) and if you can use some homemade B-ionic with your top off water. That will help some. I had some good luck with my brood system by adding sand to pair tanks. This is not really feasable with growout but if you can setup a huge sand sump that may act as a decent buffer. If you do this let me know how it fares. Dont panic and make a mistake. You fish are adjusted to this pH so bring it up slowly. Dont dump a whole bunch of Kalk in there & think things will be good. Oh yeah, I tried the CO2 test and it was not the culprit. Yes you can have a radically low pH. I believe ya!!!! Good luck-- Morgan

03/03/2006, 11:16 AM	#7
slevesque Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Montreal Posts: 380	Hi Dman, I have never used a PH pen before but I saw they come with 3 different calibration liquid: 10.01 , 7.01, 4.01 Did you use the right one? Please don't be offended by my simple question

03/03/2006, 01:50 PM	#8
Kathy55g Moved On Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 3,250	I think it is great that you posted this. I wouldn't have thought to check pH. After only running a month or two, my alkalinity is a bit low. Ca is , of course fine with nothing to consume it. anyway, thanks for alerting us to this potential problem.