PH Question (1 Viewer)

[FISHSTICK]

My PH is 8.69. I was wondering, is this too high? Should I be worried?

Thanks
Mike

 

[Guest]

I would be worried.....doesn't give much room for error.

 

[FISHSTICK]

What should I do to lower it?

 

[Guest]

Not sure since I have never had this problem....I know co2 will lower it.

 

[FISHSTICK]

Yeah..I know but, I haven't bought a new cal. reactor yet. I think I'll do that. Thanks "Q".

 

[AquaNerd]

how did you test it? i don't trust most pH test kits and if you did it with a meter it may need to be recalibrated.

 

[FISHSTICK]

I got a Pinpoint meter and I check with test kit too. Both readings are close to same outcome. I recalibrated it about six months ago. How often should you calibrate these things?

 

[Guest]

Probably close if it was 6months ago but if you are getting the same or somewhat similar results with a test kit then I wouldn't fret too much over it.

 

[FISHSTICK]

I'll keep a close watch and see what happens.

 

[jdeveaux]

I would test your alkalinity. PH is a nice guide but the dkh will give you a lot more to work with. My nano runs 8.6 consistently with the dkh at 12.5 and everything I have in it is doing well. I just keep it stable and consistent.

Consistence is the most important factor with any reef.

If you want to lower your PH scoop out a couple cups of tank water and mix some food grade baking soda (Arm&Hammer) in that water and very slowly add the water back to the tank. I would do 1 teaspoon and see how things fair with that. Always give it an hour to stabilize before testing and trying again.

 

[FISHSTICK]

OK. I just checked the carbonate hardness and it's 120 mg/l. It says the range should be 105-125 mg/l, so I'm on the high side, but still in range. Could this be the reason? Is this the same as dkh?

 

[Guest]

Yes carbonate hardness is the same as dkh.

Just divide the carbonate hardness by 50 and then multiply by 2.8 to get dkh.

If anything your alkalinity level looks low to me. Typically 7 - 10dkh is recommended but your information is recommending 5.9 - 7 dkh.

Are you sure your kit is for marine aquaria?

 

[FISHSTICK]

Yes, it's for marine. So, if the dkh is low, this will make the PH rise?

 

[jdeveaux]

Not exactly. Here is a really detailed article on the subject regarding the relationship between the PH and Alkalinity CHEMISTRY AND THE AQUARIUM by RANDY HOLMES-FARLEY

 

[FISHSTICK]

Thanks John. I'll read and see what I come up with.

 

[mitchell]

Baking soda to adjust ph this is rediculous hope you didn't try that you need a base to reduce alkalinity baking soda if anything would increase alkalinty.

 

[mitchell]

Here is an MSDS on baking soda