Low Ph

[scubamitch]

DonW, Backed off on the calc reactor, then shut it off, the threads about balance were interesting. Ph is now more stable at 7.8 to 8.0 (fresh calibration, lab grade), 10.0 Alk and 410 Ca. Intend to use the calculator and recipe 1, keep them optimum, see if the Kalk brings the Ph up slowly. Good plan?

Kinda strange how a tank can go down the tubes after years of no problems but...........

 

[DonW]

DonW, Backed off on the calc reactor, then shut it off, the threads about balance were interesting. Ph is now more stable at 7.8 to 8.0 (fresh calibration, lab grade), 10.0 Alk and 410 Ca. Intend to use the calculator and recipe 1, keep them optimum, see if the Kalk brings the Ph up slowly. Good plan?

Kinda strange how a tank can go down the tubes after years of no problems but...........

Time for some / alot of large water changes. This is what happens as a tank ages. Nutrients really affect ph, so the carx really takes a hit on ph once its that low.

Youll get it but at this point 7.8-8.0 is fine.

Don

 

[scubamitch]

DonW,
I changed 175 gals (100 gal tank) when I OD'ed the Alk, had significant die off. Comming round now and getting ahead of the diatoms, so I figured on backing off, let things settle down, then put the carx on slowly. Got water made now for a couple of 25% changes. Hopefully with it, Ca/Alk in balance and the Kalk the Ph will come back up.
Thanks for the pointers, not too many "Salties" here in the north to bounce ideas off. Appreciate the help.

 

[DonW]

DonW,
I changed 175 gals (100 gal tank) when I OD'ed the Alk, had significant die off. Comming round now and getting ahead of the diatoms, so I figured on backing off, let things settle down, then put the carx on slowly. Got water made now for a couple of 25% changes. Hopefully with it, Ca/Alk in balance and the Kalk the Ph will come back up.
Thanks for the pointers, not too many "Salties" here in the north to bounce ideas off. Appreciate the help.

Your welcome happy to help. Just keep changing water.

Don

 

[plack]

Hi Donw

Feling human again

Heres some info:

I have a 180 gallon with a ca reactor a neilson reactor and a nitrate reactor:

I did a 100 gallon change(I.O. raised to 420-3.0 heated and left to sit for a day) and the ph went back down after several hours:

I read up on low ph and hooked up fresh air from outside I even had a Powerfull Powerhead with air from outside for 24 hours Virtually no change!

I added some kent magnesium at one point before the water change and accidentally added alot I fear. So I tested with a salifert test kit it read 1900 Yikes I thought so I tested brand new I.O Not mixed up it read 1700 so I think this particular test kit is bad OR The I.O. is bad ? and I am a little scared of doing another water change I really am considering ordering online from doctor fosters I.O.'s reef crystals as thats the only place I can get a bucket for under $50 And hopefully that will help ?

I have had perecipitation from trying to keep up with the alk demands before my ca reactor was settup.

But in Re-Reading Ca reactor setrtup info I neglected to see what my PH output was it was 5.8 and it did not turn to mush Yea-- I started over and I have reservations of it ever getting right :-(

I speed up my nitrate reactor so it lets out less co2 .
I lowered the amount of co2 into my ca reactor and got it's output (effluent) up to 6.86 (adjusted last night measured today)
Not much evaporation about 2-5 gallons a day.

Recently got a 6"dersa Live stock mostly seems o.k polyps extended on most everything some things thriving orthers just seem to be so-so

Also recently I fear a scribbled rabbit fish fell prey to my sebay ? Can't prove it but it seems that way.

Please if you can solve this or anyone else I would be greatfull as I always try to keep ca and alk balanced . I test alk every 2-3 days and ca every 3-5 days and i always am adjusting and I figured I just about had It right but then I noticed the ca reactors ph being soo low :-(

Thanks for reading this in advance
Paul

 

[DonW]

Sorry I havent been around much today. First the standard question. How are you measuring ph. Was it recently calibrated? If so with what brand and age?

Don

 

[plack]

I used Milwalkee calibration fluid bottles bought 6 weeks ago 7.01 and 10.01

I have a neptune ph probe that is about 4 months old was cleaned with milwakee probe cleaner and calibrated several times recently .

P.S. I ordered and plan on some whopper water changes with reef crystals down the road.

 

[DonW]

I used Milwalkee calibration fluid bottles bought 6 weeks ago 7.01 and 10.01

I have a neptune ph probe that is about 4 months old was cleaned with milwakee probe cleaner and calibrated several times recently .

P.S. I ordered and plan on some whopper water changes with reef crystals down the road.

Milwaukee standards fall on their face after theyve been opened. I'd switch to the single use pinpoint packets. Also make sure your floating the standard or checking its temp so it the right ph.

Don

 

[plack]

O.K. I will try and get some asap and let you know then
Paul

 

[plack]

Well I have some very very Good News
I have an old pinpoint ph monitor only and I connected the probe i have up to it and used the solutions I have and it reads 8.3
Yes I am going to get the single use pinpoint packets today !
I woke up this morning and my controller read 6.4 and I knew it could not be that bad or sompthing will die very soon ! so I took a shower and then I remembered that old pinpoint monitor . Thank god for that. I guess my controller will be returned for repair in a while as thats whats bad the controller not the probe! at least now I can get my calcium reactor set back up probably near to where it was and then its new corals time It all makes sense as the only other thing that happened was in trying to add to much alk buffer at times I ruined my rowa phos but I thouroughly cleaned and replaced that last night.
Wow stable PH I may actually get there REAL SOON.
Crossing fingers
Paul

 

[DonW]

Well I have some very very Good News
I have an old pinpoint ph monitor only and I connected the probe i have up to it and used the solutions I have and it reads 8.3
Yes I am going to get the single use pinpoint packets today !
I woke up this morning and my controller read 6.4 and I knew it could not be that bad or sompthing will die very soon ! so I took a shower and then I remembered that old pinpoint monitor . Thank god for that. I guess my controller will be returned for repair in a while as thats whats bad the controller not the probe! at least now I can get my calcium reactor set back up probably near to where it was and then its new corals time It all makes sense as the only other thing that happened was in trying to add to much alk buffer at times I ruined my rowa phos but I thouroughly cleaned and replaced that last night.
Wow stable PH I may actually get there REAL SOON.
Crossing fingers
Paul

Good for you. Most of the time really low ph is a measurement issue.

Don

 

[plack]

Yea this time though it did not stay in calibration so I just bought a new probe and the single use packets and calibrated it on both my neptune and the pinpoint:
I also thought my magnesium kit was wrong and I was right it is way low at 960 so I am working on that as we speak !!! trying to get it to 1300 .

ph will change but at least I know why and it reads good.

pinpoint monitor reads 7.80
neptune controller reads 7.71

also with tommorow being my day off I will do 1 large water change after elevating the magnesium ( need to warm up th rodi water anyway it's cold now) then I ordered a bucket of reefcrystals $43 delivered by dr fosters an smith I would have bought it locally if LFS were even close to this but so far no one has been.
any way so far :

1 defective probe replaced
1 bad salifert magnesium test kit replaced
lots of water changes ahead
Paul

 

[DonW]

Yea this time though it did not stay in calibration so I just bought a new probe and the single use packets and calibrated it on both my neptune and the pinpoint:
I also thought my magnesium kit was wrong and I was right it is way low at 960 so I am working on that as we speak !!! trying to get it to 1300 .

ph will change but at least I know why and it reads good.

pinpoint monitor reads 7.80
neptune controller reads 7.71

also with tommorow being my day off I will do 1 large water change after elevating the magnesium ( need to warm up th rodi water anyway it's cold now) then I ordered a bucket of reefcrystals $43 delivered by dr fosters an smith I would have bought it locally if LFS were even close to this but so far no one has been.
any way so far :

1 defective probe replaced
1 bad salifert magnesium test kit replaced
lots of water changes ahead
Paul

Dont waste your time and mg suppliments. The water changes are going to bring the Mg up real quick.

Don

 

[plack]

Sorry don I did not read your post until tuesday.

I did a magnesium suppliment (Epsom salts) . Magnesium is now at 1300 the next day a 50 gallon Water and the ph has been very stable at 7.9 +/-.02 even at night . So far Knock on wood all is better. I do plan on more water changes but I am waiting on a salt delivery due this week
Paul

 

[DonW]

Sorry don I did not read your post until tuesday.

I did a magnesium suppliment (Epsom salts) . Magnesium is now at 1300 the next day a 50 gallon Water and the ph has been very stable at 7.9 +/-.02 even at night . So far Knock on wood all is better. I do plan on more water changes but I am waiting on a salt delivery due this week
Paul

Oh well the stuff is cheap. I'm not real fond of the sulfates but it works.

Don

 

[plack]

Well after 3 days nock on wood its now staying at 8.09 ish in the day and 7.90 ish at night and thats with the outside air tube removed !!

And I have not even recieved my reefcrystals salt yet.

Very happy about finding the reasons Thanks again Donw !!!!!!!

Paul