PH is rising to high

[Jiddy]

My pinpoint PH monitor that was calibrated when i set up the tank last Sept. is tellin my that at times my PH is going as high as 8.9. I was curious if this was bad and how to fix it.

Apparently my leather is shriveled up as well and was wondering if this was a result? What can go wrong when your PH is that high?

Thanks
Jiddy

 

[mmkeeper]

Have you recalibrated your monitor lately?

 

[Puffer Princess]

Hey i am Jiddys wife, I have not recalibrated the monitor. How do you do it?

 

[mmkeeper]

When you set up the monitor you have recieved a bag of water with a ph of 7.

 

[Puffer Princess]

i am sorry i dont understand what you mean

 

[mmkeeper]

Here is a link that might help alittle.
http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11706

 

[Puffer Princess]

thank you mmkeeper

 

[Rock-N-Ruin]

I would check it with a sailfert Ph. test kit first, but it is recommended that you claibrate the pinpoint Ph. monitor every month...

 

[NaH2O]

Puffer Princess, you can order calibration fluids for the monitor. Then, you just calibrate the monitor with a little screw driver....match the pH with the fluid you are calibrating with (7 or 10). Jiddy should be able to tell you how he calibrated it when it was first set up. Rinse the probe in RO/DI water inbetween switching from pH 7 and pH 10. Are you adding any supplements to the tank?

How long has the leather been closed up?

 

[mmkeeper]

Thanks Nikki for bailing me out on that one.

 

[liveforphysics]

You can also easily make your own pH cal solutions if you dont want to pay for them.

If you find its really that high (doubtful, but possible), spend $5 and toss 1 teaspoon of yeast, 1 cup of sugar, into a 2L bottle and fill it up about 2/3rds of the way with hot tap water. Drill a little hole in the cap or top of the bottle and glue in a chunk of small air tubeing line. Stick this line somewhere down low in the tank, or set a small bowl in the tank and stick the end of the line under that. The bottle will supply a steady constant (as long as the reaction in the bottle is kept anerobic) of CO2 into the water for a few weeks. The ratios of yeast to sugar I gave you is more of a high output rather than long duration combo, you can easily tailor the solution to produce CO2 at a constant rate for about 2months if desired.

Anyways, as you well know, the CO2 collected under the bowl will disolve into the water makeing carbonic acid which will very safely lower the pH. Likely will do someother bennifical things for the tank as well if you have macro algaes.

But, most likely, its a probe related issue.

 

[Krish]

Puffer...I just helped my friend the other day hook up a CO2 generator and he had to calibrate the probe as well. Not difficult at all once you have the solution. It shouldn't be too hard to get and only takes literally seconds to do once you have it. Best of luck and I hope you guys don't suffer any losses

 

[wrightme43]

Puffer, try a ph test kit. Its a good idea, and I am sure Jidz has one somewhere around there.

 

[Puffer Princess]

Thank you guys for all the help! I will ask Jiddy about the fluids for the ph monitor and see if that is the problem first. Everything in the tank looks good except the leather, it has been closed for about 3 days now! Do they go through a shedding or molting phase sometimes? The LFS said something like that. Or do you think it could be the R/O water that i am adding? Maybe i need new filters for it?

 

[Haole]

I’m in agreement with your ph meter possibly needing recalibration also. Especially after you stated that you top off with r/o water. That water usually has a neutral to low ph to begin with unless you are buffering it.
As far as your leather’s appearance, yes they do go through a molting period from time to time, where they slough off a layer of mucous. This can take up to a few days for the coral to complete. An indication of this occurring might be a waxy/shiny look to the area where normally the polyps extend from.
hth

 

[NaH2O]

I wouldn't worry about the leather just yet. They do shed mucous as Rob pointed out. Puffer Princess - you could pick up a Salifert pH test kit, and not worry about calibrating the monitor until Jiddy gets back. The test is really easy to do. I would suspect probe calibration is the problem more than your pH actually being that high. Until you know for sure, do not add anything to your system. pH monitors do need to be calibrated about every month. You can also get pH levels that don't seem right, if you use the plug-in as opposed to batteries due to interference from the ballasts (or something like that ). Are you dripping kalkwasser?

Here is Jiddy's homework assignment: High pH: Causes and Cures by Randy Holmes-Farley

A Comparison of pH Calibration Buffers by Randy Holmes-Farley

 

[mmkeeper]

Get a test ph test. Take some waterto your LFS and have them test it. Test your make up and ro water.

 

[Scooterman]

Winter time running the heater constantly without fresh air can also cause fluctuations, If this is the case try opening a window next to the tank a while.

 

[NaH2O]

Winter time running the heater constantly without fresh air can also cause fluctuations, If this is the case try opening a window next to the tank a while.

Scooterman - this would cause fluctuations with the pH dropping too low (gas appliances), but Jiddy's problem is the pH is reading too high.

 

[Scooterman]

Ahh guess I should read sloooower lol Thanks Nikki