PH Problem...

HCJohn · Post by **HCJohn** » Mon Nov 03, 2003 10:48 am

I tested my PH today...first time in a few days and its hanging around 7.8 I know thats low and am wonderin whats the best solution to get it up. All other parameters are good. I have been dosing with Bionic to get the calcium up to 420.

Just wondering where I should go from here. Thanks in advance.

ShagMan · Post by **ShagMan** » Mon Nov 03, 2003 11:19 am

I use baking soda, look in the DIY section of reefcentral, you have to cook some of it, and re-mix it with the rest, 6 to 1, uncooked to cooked, if I remember right.

tbmoore · Post by **tbmoore** » Mon Nov 03, 2003 11:29 am

What is your DKH and Calcium levels. ...When was the last time you did a water Change..

HCJohn · Post by **HCJohn** » Mon Nov 03, 2003 11:34 am

Im going to get a DKH test kit this afternoon. Dont have that. My Calcium is at 420.

I did a water change of 15% 8 days ago. Im working on doing another 10% now as that should up it at least a bit and wont hurt anything in the process.

From what Im gathering from the few posts Ive made...without being able to test the DKH its going to be hard to know what to do. If the Alk is low could I just add a bit more of the Bionics Alk solution hoping it would pull both up? Just gathering info as Im reading that while 7.8 is low its not going to kill anything this afternoon so Im going to try and do this right rather than treat it as an emergency.

tbmoore · Post by **tbmoore** » Mon Nov 03, 2003 11:39 am

I would get a alk test kit before doing anything or have the water tested by someone. I can send you a chart that shows you the balance between the two, but with 420ppm you should have 8.4dkh or alk of 3.00.

tbmoore · Post by **tbmoore** » Mon Nov 03, 2003 11:43 am

Here is the table...after you know what your dkh is then you can figure out how much buffer to add and start a drip to bring it up slowly..after you have a balance you ph will adjust over a period of time..this might take couple of days.

Here is a balancing table.
Alk/ dKH/ Calcium
0.00 0.00 360
0.50 1.40 370
1.00 2.80 380
1.50 4.20 390
2.00 5.60 400
2.50 7.00 410
3.00 8.40 420 (Near sea water)
3.50 9.80 430 (My average)
4.00 11.20 440 (My goal)
4.50 12.60 450
5.00 14.00 460
5.50 15.40 470
6.00 16.80 480 (My goal for my frag tank)
6.50 18.20 490
7.00 19.60 500
end of added info