Alk/PH question

LAreefguy · Nov 9, 2014

I feel like at this point in my reefing hobby this should be something I know.......for some reason I'm confused, please explain.....
So my alk is always around 8.0-8.4 I test everyday and manually dose as needed. I never test my ph as it was stable for so long for some dumb reason I just stopped checking. Friday I checked as I had some coral and a clam not look so good and ph was 7.9 so I buffered it over the weekend slowly and now it's 8.3 but my alk is at 10.7 I know my coral is pissed that my alk jumped up 2.7 in 2 days. Are all ph buffers going 2 raise alk as well?

this is what I used 2 raise my ph. PLEASE someone fill me in on this a I feel so dumb right now lol thanks!!

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AddictedtoSalt · Nov 9, 2014

Some buffers will raise alk also but its usually temporary. It should drop back down and stabilize within 2 hours. Ive always used brightwells ph+ and have not had any problems.
Sounds like the seachem stuff is like kalk. I also dont worry about ph much. As long as its stable it should be fine.

LAreefguy · Nov 10, 2014

Ok thanks bud doesn't stress out the system over a temporary boost of alk?

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SC50964 · Nov 10, 2014

Hey Adam, the fine print on the label of marine buffer says something about the amount of Alk that it will raise. For a reef system, I would use reef buffer made by the same company.

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JCRomero · Nov 10, 2014

You do the opposite of what i do, i have not checked alk in quite a while, but keep the ph at 8.0-8.2. absolutely agree about the stability comment. I have had ph at low 7's for months before using the pin point monitor with no issues in the tank, as long as it is stable.

lowbudget · Nov 10, 2014

yeah i dont worry about ph much neither alk is to worry

LAreefguy · Nov 10, 2014

lowbudget said:

lol I figure both are prob best at what they should be. What doesn't make sence 2 me is it seems u can't raise ph without raising alk. There has 2 be something that does

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LAreefguy · Nov 10, 2014

SC50964 said:

Iv used that but I feel like that would buffer both no? I just wanna raise my ph nothing else.

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Justkeepswimming · Nov 10, 2014

LAreefguy said:

Adam, you sill see that every tank has its "SWEET SPOT", and your tank might like to sit at 7.9 ph. This is totally acceptable as long as your ca/alk are good and stable (as everyone mentioned). Concentrate on keeping the alk around 8-9 with little to no fluctuation and with a ph of 7.9 you wont have any issues. Something i heard from local reefers is higher alk = higher growth and lower alk=better color! With your alk at 10, once your corals stop being mad then they will take off!

Anybody that can prove this alk theory right or wrong chime in please.

GOOD LUCK!

LAreefguy · Nov 10, 2014

Justkeepswimming said:

Thanks for the input bud, I never checked ph cause it was always goo but revelry iv noticed some issues, clam died after having it a while coral not as open. I did a battery of tests and all I came up with was ph being a tad low and my phosphate at 0.15 buts my phos are always there.

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Justkeepswimming · Nov 10, 2014

LAreefguy said:

Thanks for the input bud, I never checked ph cause it was always goo but revelry iv noticed some issues, clam died after having it a while coral not as open. I did a battery of tests and all I came up with was ph being a tad low and my phosphate at 0.15 buts my phos are always there.

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This weather, TEMP swings?

SC50964 · Nov 10, 2014

LAreefguy said:

Yes they both raise ph and kh but the reef one will only raise it by half so it's much less dramatic.

Marine buffer: 1 meq/L
Reef buffer: 0.5 meq/L

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newtothis · Nov 10, 2014

[MENTION=7697]LAreefguy[/MENTION] a couple of month ago I was having low ph issue too. I let the system work itself out since my swing wasn't that drastic. Only thing that I can see that you mentions is your P04@0.15 dependent on which test kit but that is really high. Most corals especially clams don't like P04 that high. Try to keep lower it and keep it steady @0.01-0.04. I've notice (especially) my system does better with P04@0.02 n N03@0.02. [MENTION=4649]Justkeepswimming[/MENTION] I've heard the same re the high alk in result of faster growth. I keep mine btwn 9.5-10.0, only draw back is that I go thru alk and mag like a slurpee in the middle of summer.

watchguy123 · Nov 10, 2014

I should know the science but it's been too long from school days. Nonetheless. Alk is your buffer as long as it is in the range 7-11 and most seem to aim for 8-9. My understanding with Alk in the correct range, pH will be buffered appropriately. So I would suggest, you aim for stable Alk and not be too concerned with pH.

Justkeepswimming · Nov 10, 2014

watchguy123 said:

Never to late to brush up on that chemistry !

(although not a academic peer reviewed article, still good info)
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/5/chemistry

LAreefguy · Nov 10, 2014

newtothis said:

[MENTION=7697]LAreefguy[/MENTION] a couple of month ago I was having low ph issue too. I let the system work itself out since my swing wasn't that drastic. Only thing that I can see that you mentions is your P04@0.15 dependent on which test kit but that is really high. Most corals especially clams don't like P04 that high. Try to keep lower it and keep it steady @0.01-0.04. I've notice (especially) my system does better with P04@0.02 n N03@0.02. [MENTION=4649]Justkeepswimming[/MENTION] I've heard the same re the high alk in result of faster growth. I keep mine btwn 9.5-10.0, only draw back is that I go thru alk and mag like a slurpee in the middle of summer.

I use the Hannah checker for my po4. I guess I should slowly start using phosphate removal media. What type do you use?

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newtothis · Nov 10, 2014

LAreefguy said:

None, I've taken gfo offline line since may or June.

LAreefguy · Nov 10, 2014

newtothis said:

Wow, so how the hell do ya keep it so low? I use biopellets but I have a lot of fish maye that's my problem?

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newtothis · Nov 10, 2014

LAreefguy said:

It's starts with your rodi and the food you feed. I run pellets too inside a cadlight BR-1 reactor. Gcarrol had a good article/thread regarding n03&P04 chemistry..

LAreefguy · Nov 10, 2014

newtothis said:

I Deff over feed, I'll work in it. I hav a hydra reactor it use with Warner marine pellets it's about 2/5 full. How full is your reactor?

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Alk/PH question

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