PH Seems to be rising...

CaptainKid · 05-07-2007, 12:58 AM

Hey Everyone,

After testing my water chem. today, I've noticed my PH has risen to 8.4. Any idea how to bring that down a bit, say to 8.2?

Other specs are:

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10

75 Gal. Tank with about 60-65 lbs LR, 50 LBS LS.

3 Engineer Gobies (small), 1 Lawnmower Blenny, Crabs, Snails (Cleaning Crew).

Just did a 10 gal. water change today.

Adding about 20 ml of ESV B-Ionic Calcium Buffer System (Both Components), Once a week (directions suggest daily but LFS told me once a week as to not shoot the PH through the roof).

Any thoughts? Would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks All!

Andyoybna · 05-07-2007, 10:20 AM

I don't mean to be captain obvious here, but.....

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainKid

Adding about 20 ml of ESV B-Ionic Calcium Buffer System (Both Components), Once a week (directions suggest daily but LFS told me once a week as to not shoot the PH through the roof).

It looks to me that is the only thing that has changed, if you want to add calcium without affecting ph/hardness just get some liquid calcium instead, you don't need to add a buffer with it, however IMO there is nothing wrong with a ph of 8.4

CaptainKid · 05-07-2007, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andyoybna

I don't mean to be captain obvious here, but.....

It looks to me that is the only thing that has changed, if you want to add calcium without affecting ph/hardness just get some liquid calcium instead, you don't need to add a buffer with it, however IMO there is nothing wrong with a ph of 8.4

One guy (owner) at LFS said, 3 days a week... made no mention of rising PH. Second guy and same LFS said once a week and watch the PH as it may rise. Directions on bottles say every day, and make no mention of rising PH. See the dilemma? Furthermore, owner of said LFS told me to add these components not only for the calcium, but for other chemical and trace element balance. So, not so obvious. Like anything in this hobby, you'll get a million different opinions and solutions based on who ya talk to.

Is anyone familiar with ESV B-Ionic?

Thanks.

Andyoybna · 05-07-2007, 02:16 PM

Some one please correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe with adding calcium will lower alkalinity, which then lets the PH change slightly, in your case, up. What I read on their website is that there is 2 different liquids in the "system" One is a calcium supplement, the other is an alkalinity buffer/trace elements.

But again, IMO a PH of 8.4 is fine, if it goes any higher than that though, I would start to worry, I would just keep an eye on it for now, maybe test your ph before you add that stuff, and then a few hours after you add it.

CaptainKid · 05-07-2007, 05:02 PM

Hey Andy,

So if adding bottle 1 (calcium) lowers the alkalinity, then adding the second bottle (alkalinity) would make sense as it would bring it back up. Since both bottles are added per their directions, how can I combat the rising PH?

Andyoybna · 05-07-2007, 05:17 PM

Well, the alkalinity is what is dropping the PH I believe, for example, I have VERY alkaline hard water, and a ph of 7.8, and it is EXTREMELY hard to get it to change in either direction. I believe the only way that you have to keep the PH locked in, is possibly add a PH buffer, like the one Kent makes, since it seems that your PH is easily messed with. Again don't take what I'm saying as gospel(bad analogy for me) anyways this is just what I have gotten from my limited experience in water chemistry, and it seems like anything you add will mess with something else, so then you have to add this to adjust that, and it keeps going and going....