High ph levels (1 Viewer)

[reeftopia]

Question never though I would have. Since introducing my new calcium reactor ph levels have slowly creeped up. What has been a perennial 8.0 has climbed to 8.39
While this is ok I need to know what to do if it climbs even higher. In my koi pond I add vinegar but this is my reef.

 

[foos]

You could try doing some cardio in the room till it drops.

 

[RR-MAN]

That's a good problem to have.

I have seen SPS tanks with PH of 8.48 with no ill effect.

 

[decimal]

Things to consider
Rising ph = lack of carbon dioxide.
If it rises above 8.5 = lack of aeration

I’m sure everyone has been there lots of times but I would start here

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-03/rhf/index.php

 

[Reefahholic]

What I find is that most people who believe they have a high pH have 1 of 3 issues.

I’m not saying you have any of these, but it’s something to consider since even the top pros can’t get their pH to 8.4 most of the time. Even wholesalers with reefs outside in large warehouses.

1. Probes need to be calibrated or replaced. Most guys are using cheap probes.

2. They aren’t cross checking with quality equipment.

3. The tank has really poor circulation and is not being taken care of properly.

I was talking with a guy in a live stream yesterday and he said...”my pH gets up to 8.4 even in the middle of the night.”

I was like wow...that’s impressive! So your hitting 8.8 during peak photo period! He went silent.

 

[guylaga]

I have always understood that it would be pretty difficult to have a Ph above 8.5 which would be getting "too high".

You could turn off your skimmer or decrease surface agitation, but like said above this decreases dissolved O2 as well.

Could try adding CO2 like they do for planted FW tanks?

 

[steveb]

I would double check the probe. That seems difficult to achieve given you are using a calcium reactor but a nice problem to have.

 

[decimal]

You can add Co2 to the skimmer air intake but as mentioned, frequently the measuring data is faulty. Best to approach with that as your primary suspect before making changes.

 

[Reefahholic]

I would double check the probe. That seems difficult to achieve given you are using a calcium reactor but a nice problem to have.

I agree. Wish I had the problem. I’m a pH freak and had 4 probes on my last system. I can tell you that pinpoint sucks, Apex lab grade is ok, Milwaukee was best, and GHL was decent.

 

[Reefahholic]

@reeftopia get a Milwaukee. You’ll be impressed with its accuracy and how simple they calibrate right on point with the solution. They don’t drift like Apex during calibration.

Or like Pinpoint after calibration. That thing drifts so much it’s insane. I bought two of those things and finally ran into a Milwaukee and fell in love.

I’m trying to remember how well the GHL probe did. I didn’t have it long enough to really give you good feedback. I do remember it came in pretty accurate/close to the Milwaukee.

 

[foos]

@reeftopia get a Milwaukee. You’ll be impressed with its accuracy and how simple they calibrate right on point with the solution. They don’t drift like Apex during calibration.

Or like Pinpoint after calibration. That thing drifts so much it’s insane. I bought two of those things and finally ran into a Milwaukee and fell in love.

I’m trying to remember how well the GHL probe did. I didn’t have it long enough to really give you good feedback. I do remember it came in pretty accurate/close to the Milwaukee.

Are you talking about using one of those probes on an apex, or a fully different system?

 

[Reefahholic]

Are you talking about using one of those probes on an apex, or a fully different system?

If I’m not mistaken you can run them on several pieces of equipment. I think they’re compatible.

 

[steveb]

I agree.

 

[Reefahholic]

They’re specifically made for the KHD. Very good quality.

 

[reeftopia]

I have a HM digital ph 200 calibrated 10 days ago Ph this evening 850. Never had ph higher than about 8 this is strickly my new calcium reactor.
Instruction say ph coming out of reactor shoud be 6.5 to 6.7 its now at 6.72 I will be ordering a Milw hasnt been a rush since I Have a good digital.
May end up turning off the reactor tonight afraid I might fry my corals

 

[Reefahholic]

I have a HM digital ph 200 calibrated 10 days ago Ph this evening 850. Never had ph higher than about 8 this is strickly my new calcium reactor.
Instruction say ph coming out of reactor shoud be 6.5 to 6.7 its now at 6.72 I will be ordering a Milw hasnt been a rush since I Have a good digital.
May end up turning off the reactor tonight afraid I might fry my corals

The reactor wouldn’t make it go up. You know that. If I could get a reactor that increased pH instead of depression...I’d pay 3K right now.

 

[reeftopia]

I would think that but my ph has been 8.0 for 10 yrs it has seen an increase everyday since I turned on the reactor so how could it not be
effecting ph My salifert test kit looked more like 8.25 but did order a milw this evening.

 

[Reefahholic]

I would think that but my ph has been 8.0 for 10 yrs it has seen an increase everyday since I turned on the reactor so how could it not be
effecting ph My salifert test kit looked more like 8.25 but did order a milw this evening.

This is really strange. I still don’t think it’s the reactor though. The reactor is injecting CO2 / CO2 rich water into the aquarium which would have the opposite effect. Maybe you have some weird issue going on with the tank. Have you noticed an increase in growth, decrease, or same?

 

[Reefahholic]

I guess I should ask what brand reactor and what media are you running?