pH Challenge

[meitzler]

My 300 gal tank pH ranges between 7.5 and 7.9. If I drip Kalk at night the best I get is 8.0 without removing water. I have opened the windows in the room with little effect. Claims and corals are doing fine, but they do not have full extension. The tank is up 1 year, has a GEO Calcium reactor, a phospate reactor, and a ATI 250 skimmer. If anyone has had a similar problem, I would love to hear the solution that worked for you.

Merry Christmas

 

[DonW]

First thing is to verify the ph. 7.5 is pretty low and takes alot of co2 to get that way. Along with the ca reactor, high nutrient levels may be an issue. My guess is the test is off.

Don

 

[Boomer]

Yup, I agree with Don testing error. What are you using to test pH ?

 

[meitzler]

I use two different pH probes that have been calibrated with 7.0 and 10.0 pinpoint solution. The high for each day is 7.9 and the low just before the lights go on is 7.5XXX.

 

[NC2WA]

when is the last time the probes have been calibrated?? I had a similar issue. I thought my RO water's pH level was 9.0, when in fact is was closer to 6.7. After I calibrated the unit, I got a more accurate result.

 

[apollothesun]

whats your alkalinity reading at? maybe your reactor is not tuned properly, releasing to much co2

 

[Boomer]

Who's meter and probes are these and can they be run on AC or DC. Take a sample from the tank and with the meter/probe measure it some place far away from your tank. Try a test kit to double check them.

 

[meitzler]

My Alk ranges from 8.3 to 11. My pH out of the Calcium reactor is 6.7 and internal to the reactor it is 6.5. I setup my AC3 to turn the reactor off when it goes below 7.7. Should I turn off the feed pump and CO2, or just the CO2. I am dosing 2 gal of Kalk a day now fpr a 300 as the top off.

 

[DonW]

My Alk ranges from 8.3 to 11. My pH out of the Calcium reactor is 6.7 and internal to the reactor it is 6.5. I setup my AC3 to turn the reactor off when it goes below 7.7. Should I turn off the feed pump and CO2, or just the CO2. I am dosing 2 gal of Kalk a day now fpr a 300 as the top off.

Never turn off your feed pump. Lets assume for a minute that the ph readings are accurate, and take a look at the ca reactor. Where is the carx effluent going in relation to the ph probes and skimmer? Where are your ph probes, tank sump? Humor me and check your nitrates real quick and if you can post a current full tank photo of the tank.

Don

 

[Boomer]

Well then if those pH readings are correct then raise the pH from 6.5 to 6.7 (internal) for the reactor. For now shut -off the CO2 for a day or so till then pH is back up. Try reading through these for help.

A Guide to Using Calcium Reactors
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-05/sh/feature/index.php


Calcium Reactor setup calculator (CaCO3/CO2 reactors)
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/reactor.html