Rowaphos and low alk/pH

[Aaron]

I just added a MR-1 to my tank and started running some rowaphos.

In 24 hours my alk went from about 9 dkh to 7, and my pH dropped from about 8.1 to 7.8.

Been doing some reading online, and it sounds like this is fairly common when you first start using this media.

I was wondering if anyone has experience with rowa, and will this lowering effect eventually subside?

7.8 is a bit outside my comfort zone.

 

Any thoughts?

[Aaron]

Bump

 

Nobody?

[OldReefer]

I'd never had that experience with when I ran Rowaphos before. Now I run BRS high capacity GFO. The pH will look a bit better when you get the alk up. Keep in mind everybody is having low pH problems becuase of the weather. Closed up houses mean high CO2 and low pH. I picked up my pH 0.2 by venting my skimmer to outside air.

[Aaron]

Thanks Bill, maybe I should consider a switch, not sure.

This is my first time running a phosphate media like this and so far I am having a bad experience.

Believe I may have over done it with the quantity, but I can deal with that as long as I know the dip in parameters will subside soon.

Hopefully someone in the forum has worked with this product before and had a similar experience.

[Coral Hind]

I have not noticed it with the Rowaphos but I have noticed when adding carbon it can also cause the alk/pH to drop. I had to relocate the pH probe away from the carbon reactor output to get a true reading.

[Origami]

A drop in alkalinity (and, consequently pH) can result from the relatively rapid onset of precipitation of calcium carbonate around the the GFO material. Sometimes, depending upon the nature of the GFO product, there's a rapid uptake of hydroxide (taken from your alkalinity) in the GFO matrix. This initial reaction is expected to subside. Be aware, however, that if you had a phosphate problem, the reduction in phosphate can also lead to increased growth in your corals, again increasing your consumption of alkalinity over the longer term. What you've seen, however, is most likely the former explanation.

[Aaron]

Tom, thanks for the great info. You always seem to have the answers.

Chemistry is not my forte unfortunately, but I get the basics.