Low PH

[Dubge]

I just added a Ca reactor and I find my PH is a little low(7.6-7.8) What should I do to bring it up? Just water changes?

thanks
Ray

 

[hdtran]

What's your alkalinity & calcium?

 

[Dubge]

My Calcium is @ 400 and my Alk says normal (Red Sea test kit that I need to replace)

Ray

 

[hdtran]

Water changes will help, but not much. I assume you have plenty of circulation in your system (e.g. it's not excess CO2 depressing the pH), and that you know how to test for excess CO2 (take a water sample, run an airstone thru it outside for an hour or two before testing pH).

If it is low pH, and not excess CO2, I'd do a partial water change, and add buffer to your water change water. The buffer will bring your pH back towards the 8.0 to 8.4 range, and increase your alkalinity slightly. (Or, alternatively, use baking soda at 1 tsp/20gal/day and retest all parameters). Be sure your calcium reactor is offline while you do your adjustments.

 

[ChrisRD]

Try increasing circulation - particularly surface movement. I'm assuming you have a protein skimmer? Also, try having the effluent from the reactor drip into a turbulent area of the sump. You want to drive off the excess CO2.

Another option is to start topping-off evaportation with kalkwasser. This will help bring your pH up and will also aid in supplementing your Ca/Alk so you don't have to push the calcium reactor as hard (thus you can use less CO2).