Ph Low - Test finally came - have analysis now

[Sikryd]

Okay - I posted somewhere that my Ph was low - around 7.8-7.9 average.

I didn't have the alk/Kh, calc. ect. tests - I got them in the mail yesterday. I realized these salifert tests are a little more complex, and requre you to be exact and patient to get correct and consistent results, both of which I followed.

I concur that the problem with my ph probably has to with with CO2 in the water due the house being closed up due to the heat outsitde., with the a/c running 24/7.

 

Here are the results:

 

No glass canopy - open on top

 

Temp.: 77 average

Salinity: 1.023

Nitrates: 0-5ppm if any

Nitrite: 0

Ammonia: 0

Po4: 0

Mag: .28 = 1080ppm

Calcium: 780ppm

Kh/Alk: 12.5Kh 4.46 mg/L

Ph: 7.9 - 8.0

 

I was running carbon from the filters that go in the marinelab or wal-mart special hang on filters. The ones where the carbon comes sealed in a silver package, then you open it and add it to the inside of the white filter. I just poured it inside a micron sock filter on the return from the tank in the sump. It cleared the tank up. But I don't know if this type of carbon is contributing to the Co2. Or if the Co2 depresses oxygen in the tank - if so, can I just add a airrater?

 

I raised the Ph a little with the 5% water change by adding a table sppon on calc to it. I did a mini h20 change because I put a scoop of kalk in 28 gallons and the ph went wayyyyyyyyyy up. I didn;t realize that kalk was so strong (I added what I thought was hardly anything) - but I guess that is how we learn! Just happy I didn't do it to the tank. That is why I mix all my chemicals outside the sump then test to see what it does, how much it changes things ect. ect. I will add to the sump later when I fully understand all the reactions taking place.

 

Thanks for any suggestioins, ideas, explanations...

[treesprite]

Is your calcium really 780 or is that a type?

[Sikryd]

780 and I tested everything twice since it was my first time.

 

Supplements - not a big fan of- but I added a couple

 

I had been adding b-ionic 30ml.day

 

Kent reef 3 pack - I think it has calicium, iodine, and samethihng else

 

Added what the directions said x 1 day.

[Highland Reefer]

Calcium should be 380 - 450. I thought that the calcium would start to precipitate out at 500. I question that reading also. You may want to buy an AP calcium test kit which is relatively inexpensive & compare readings.

 

Magnesium should be 1250 -1350, so that is a little low.

 

If you have corals & not a fish only tank, I would raise the salinity to 1.0260 slowly.

 

As far as pH, 7.8 - 8.4 is an acceptable range. The most important factor is that you do not get pH swings of more than 0.2. Most likely pH is low do to the high CO2 in the water as you said.

 

I like your Harley also.

 

Edited July 19, 2008 by Highland Reefer

[Highland Reefer]

As far as the salinity, I hope you are using a refractometer. The Hydrometers can be off quite a bit. So I would not raise the salinity too much without a properly calibrated refractometer. As far as the pH, the test kits are hard to read & can be off quite a bit also. I would recommend a properly calibrated pH meter if you do not have one.

Edited July 19, 2008 by Highland Reefer

[Sikryd]

Well I did another H20 change yesterday - 20% 14g - then did a complete series of tests just to see where I am at before the stuff we are going to pickup at FF.

I must have mistaken another test result for the calcium, cause the test doesn't even go over 500, so who knows what happened.

I don't trust my PH probe, and we have the ACIII coming. But I did 2 different liquid Ph tests and they came out the same.

I have been dosing with Magnesium for the last week, about 2x total. It seems to have brought it up.

I guess the only thing that is off is the Kh&Alk which will be lowered through water changes.

My hydrometer works great and isn't off, I also have a refractometer that I can check it against. If you check your hydrometer against a calibrated refractometer and note the difference - if any - then a hydrometer will work just fine. All the high tech equiptment today is nice, not ALL necessary - IMO

 

Temp.: 77 average

Salinity: 1.023

Nitrates: 0

Nitrite: 0

Ammonia: 0

Po4: 0

Mag: 1180 ppm

Calcium: 420 ppm

Kh/Alk: 10.9 dKh 3.89 mg/L

Ph: 8.1-8.3

[jamal]

the lower your ph is the less likely cal will precipitate. my cal has been 600+ at times with no precipitation because i have low ph. as you ph goes up it will precipitate out so watch for that