PH level (1 Viewer)

[amarin]

What is the best way to raise the ph level? My ph level is around 7.9 I would like to get it around 8.2 or so. Any input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

 

[Cody]

How do you dose Ca/Alk?

 

[amarin]

My main source is kalkwasser mix.

 

[kgk]

7.9 is fine.

 

[amarin]

Ok. Thanks for the response. Around what level does it start to be a problem?

 

[kgk]

It depends on the level of calcium and alkalinity in the tank but I've seen successful tanks all the way down to 7.7.

 

[amarin]

Cool Thanks. I'll keep and eye on Ca/ Alk.

 

[Cody]

Yeah with kalk its pretty difficult to run your pH too low. 7.9 is absolutely fine. Considering that kalk doses in equal parts, I would mostly just keep an eye on alk. Calcium is much more available so it's not going to deplete the way that alk will. Just test it every now and then. If you're keeping your alk above 7 dKH with kalk, your pH will pretty much always be in check as well. Or at least that's what I experienced with kalkwasser.

 

[amarin]

Awesome! Thanks Cody and kgk for all good info.

 

[OceansX]

As Cody and Keith said, if your calcium and alkalinity measure fine, then I'm not sure how important it is to "chase" an ideal pH value. But here's a nice Randy Holmes-Farley article about it (LINK).

Does your pH cycle from a high to low value or stay at 7.9? My cycles through 24 hours from a high to low ~8.2 to 8.0 (might be from 7.9 to 8.1 as I suspect the calibration is off). If I turn my skimmer off those pH values drop another ~0.2 points, so you could consider a larger skimmer which follows what Randy Holmes-Farley has published:

1. The aquarium has more CO[SIZE=-1]2[/SIZE] in it than the surrounding air due to inadequate aeration. Don't be fooled into thinking that an aquarium must have adequate aeration because its water is very turbulent. Equilibrating carbon dioxide is MUCH harder than simply providing adequate oxygen. There would be NO change in the pH between day and night if equilibration of carbon dioxide were perfect. Since most aquaria have lower pH during the night, they also are demonstrating less than complete aeration."

 

[dark8nge1]

+1 to oceanx's post.

CO2 scrubbers do work to help raise ph when connected to your skimmer. I only use it for emergency situations though. If my ph drops below 7.6 I have a valve that flips the input to the skimmer from ambient air to CO2 scrubbed air to raise the ph. All other times the valve is set to pull ambient air.

I don't bother to chase any ph any other time.

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[izzy]

Have you tried hooking up a tube to your air inlet on your skimmer and running the tube outside? The fresh air from outside should raise your pH.