ESV B-Ionic CA & PH buffer

[mling]

I have been having trouble raising my PH above 7.8 to 8.0 so I bought ESV’s B-Inoic CA & PH buffer. Been using it for a little over week and my PH is now in the 8.0 to 8.1 range. Directions on this suggest that I add 4ml per gallon every day.

Do I have to do this forever ? Do I stop when my PH stabilized at a desired range ?

Is there a more “natural” way to keep PH at an acceptable level ?

 

[ChrisRD]

The B-Ionic is a two-part additive that's intended for supplementing calcium & alkalinity (and it's an excellent way to do that IMO). It's primary purpose is not really to raise pH.

Starting out with the recommended dosages is a good idea, but you should be monitoring your Ca/Alk levels and adjust your doseages accordingly to maintain good Ca/Alk levels.

Good aeration (ie. surface agitation, water movement, protein skimmer, etc.) should help stabilize pH levels in an acceptable range. I'd check that first before resorting to anything else.

If that's still not enough, consider using some kalkwasser to top-off evaporation in your system. The kalkwasser will raise your pH while also providing some balanced Ca/Alk supplementation as well.

HTH

 

[Len]

I'll second the recommendation for good aeration. Something as simple as opening a window to let fresh air in or plumbing the air intake of a skimmer outside the stuffy cabinent really makes a big difference.

B-ionic is meant to be a continual supplement, not a corrective solution. If you stop and the preexisting problems causing your low pH still exists, the pH will drop back down again. The main reason your pH elevates with its use is B-ionic provides lots of buffers. It should have minimal effect on pH itself.

Kalkwasswer will definitely work, but it's a bigger chore then B-ionic