How 2 Lower PH

[Moneymaks24]

I read I can use soda water but I'm not sure what kind or how much.

My ph peaks at 8.55 I would like to lower it to peak at 8.4

Thanks in advance.

 

[lnevo]

Its soda ash and that will raise ph. You can use baking soda to do the opposite. But I wouldnt chase ph numbers, its more than likely a bad probe.

 

[NYreefNoob]

+1 i would check calibration if your using a ph probe, vinegar will bring ph down also

 

[Dan_P]

I read I can use soda water but I'm not sure what kind or how much.

My ph peaks at 8.55 I would like to lower it to peak at 8.4

Thanks in advance.

Since I added algae to my sump, my pH has been climbing and peaking above 8.50. The aquarium hosts only clean up crew from Long Island Sound. I assume the algae is growing and absorbing CO2 faster than the system is equilibrating with the air.

Seeing your post I decided to measure the pH with a new probe and then with the old probe after it sat in a cleaning solution (from Foster&Smith, dilute hydrochloric acid solution) for an hour, rinsed for two hours and recalibrated. The pH reading from both probes is 8.36. Reading from the old probe pre-cleaning 8.44.

So, I join the others and cast a suspicious eye on your pH reading and refrain from adding anything to the aquarium.

Soda water is plain sparkling water, no sugar or minerals added. I need to do a quick calculation to answer your how much question.

 

[Dan_P]

I read I can use soda water but I'm not sure what kind or how much.

My ph peaks at 8.55 I would like to lower it to peak at 8.4

Thanks in advance.

A few more items.

What is your alkalinity? You can impact pH a small amount, the range you are concerned about, with a high alkalinity.

If your system is in equilibrium with the air, any CO2 you add will escape from the tank, just like soda going flat.

I estimate (though my confidence is not very high in it) that you would need 7 liters or about two gallons of club soda (assuming 5 g CO2 per liter) to push the pH from 8.5 to 8.4 in a 50 gallon system. If I had any club soda I would have tested my estimate on a liter of my tank water.

If you feel strongly about adding club soda to your aquarium, first try it with a liter of tank water. Monitor the one liter sample with your pH probe while you add small amounts of club soda by syringe or with a teaspoon.

Let us know what happens!

 

[lnevo]

If your really asking about club soda, I would think any co2 added would equalize pretty quickly.

 

[Moneymaks24]

Alk is 8dkh, I'll calibrate probe and let you know

 

[Dan_P]

If your really asking about club soda, I would think any co2 added would equalize pretty quickly.

If Money does the experiment we may get an idea of how fast it equilibrates

 

[Moneymaks24]

You guys were right as usual, after calibrating probe my PH is 8.30, right where I want it. Thanks again

 

[Dan_P]

Happy to hear that you don't have a problem!

 

[Moneymaks24]

Yea it's been 8 months since last calibration, I'll try to do it 2x a year from now on.

 

[Dan_P]

Yea it's been 8 months since last calibration, I'll try to do it 2x a year from now on.

Once a month might be better if you care what the pH is.

 

[REEFER]

Do a water change or cut lighting schedule down. Dont try to lower too quickly

 

[Reef Lobster]

Hah its always a probe! i was about to tell you that your alkalinity is fine but if you insist on a lower PH to gradually increase ALK to 10/11. Keep ALK CALC and MAG levels stable to keep PH in check. Read up on how MAG Binds to CALC to avoid fast uptake