Parameters? Testers?

[jethro]

I stopped checking PH years ago because I never had a problem.

I decided to buy a PH test kit. My PH is 8.6 or even greater because the purple color seems to be off the chart. Can that be a problem? I am using the Aquarium Pharmeciticals liquid test kit.

Other Parameters
dKH = 10 This fluctutates between 8-10. (could be the size of my drops)
Calcium = Off the chart or Hagan test kit needs replaced. I stopped trying after 30 drops of reagent #3 and still no color at all.

The only thing I can think of is that I need to back off on dripping Lime Water.

All that i have in my tank right now are two Yellow Headed Jawfish and live rock and bristles,pods and whatever else creeps at night.

 

[Anonymous]

I think it would be pretty unusual to have both very high calcium and high ph at the same time. Are you sure you didn't stop too soon on the CA drips? I forget what brand I use but I know it takes at least that many drops for a reading...

 

[fungia]

are your tests very old? i hear they go bad in a year and that might be the problem.

i have very high ph too cuz i drip kalkwasser. my ca is normal tho at about 400.

 

[jethro]

DanConner,

Are you saying that Calcium is acidic?

I thought otherwise.

 

[Anonymous]

I don't speak for Dan, but what he is saying (the way I understand it) is that high calcium (off the chart) is not possible to keep at high pH (8.6) in saltwater.

For freshwater, kalkwasser will make the water very basic, and this is what you have in mind. Both of you were talking about different things.

 

[45gal_Reefman]

On your Ca, how often are you doing water changes? Mine was 900+ using the Hagen test kit which was new and I did 10% water change every two weeks. I now do a water change ever 3 weeks and now it's 450+ which right where I want it.

 

[Anonymous]

Mine was 900+

8O

 

[Apophis924]

The best way to measure Ph is with a digital meter. Those kits that use color are good if you want to know if your sample is basic or acidic. Depending on lighting, your eye sight you will find it hard to get consistant reliable results using color to determine Ph. And it is possible to keep ph at 8.6 or higher in salt water, I dont know too many animals that will thrive at that Ph. The limiting factors in salt water for a high Ph come into play arounbd 9.0, You will get precipitation of ca and mg along with a drop in Alk, Once that takes place the system can no longer buffer itself against a drop in Ph and be it biological processes or Chemical introduction of atmosphereic CO2, Once th Alk falls of the ph will begin to drop.