PH IS A LITTLE HIGH THAN NORMAL. HELP!

[reefingood]

Hey fellas, Just recently installed my calcium reactor.

My Ph has been 8.6-8.7 day and night. My calcium itself is 426-436 which i think it's normal.

So what causes my PH to rise up a little??

Any solutions would help.

Thank you

:roll

[hobogato]

what are you using to test it? if a probe, maybe the calibration is off, if a chemical test kit, maybe try to confirm with another - make sure it really is high before you do anything to the tank. are you dosing kalkwasser? that can cause your pH to rise, but make your alkalinity low. you may want to test your alkalinity too.

[reefingood]

what are you using to test it? if a probe, maybe the calibration is off, if a chemical test kit, maybe try to confirm with another - make sure it really is high before you do anything to the tank. are you dosing kalkwasser? that can cause your pH to rise, but make your alkalinity low. you may want to test your alkalinity too.

Hi, I'm using two types of testing tools. one is the Pinpoint probe and the other one is the Hanna PH stick. I dont use any test kits such as salifert..etc. I think they're inaccurate.

I dont dose any kalkwasser as well.

Just installed this CR-140 reactor two days ago and my Ph gone haywire. Now i checked it's around 8.8.

But the calcium is still around 416-426

So what should I do??

Thank you

[hobogato]

ok, i just spent some time on RC chemistry forum because i have never heard of high pH with a calc reactor. i found almost no mention of it there as well. one thing that might me going on, is elevated alkalinity which is causing your pH to rise. what is your alkalinity?

also, i have always heard that those pH sticks are not very accurate, and when is the last time you calibrated the pH monitor?

if you dont have any calibration fluid, do a quick test on some RO water with TDS of 0 and make sure the pH monitor says it is 7.0

you can add seltzer water or vinegar to bring the pH down, but make sure it is elevated before you do that. the seltzer is supposed to be safer because vinegar can encourage a bacterial bloom.

i have been told by matt that dust from new calcium reactor media can skew alkalinity testing, so maybe it is effecting your pH testing as well (just brainstorming here)

[reefingood]

ok, i just spent some time on RC chemistry forum because i have never heard of high pH with a calc reactor. i found almost no mention of it there as well. one thing that might me going on, is elevated alkalinity which is causing your pH to rise. what is your alkalinity?

also, i have always heard that those pH sticks are not very accurate, and when is the last time you calibrated the pH monitor?

if you dont have any calibration fluid, do a quick test on some RO water with TDS of 0 and make sure the pH monitor says it is 7.0

you can add seltzer water or vinegar to bring the pH down, but make sure it is elevated before you do that. the seltzer is supposed to be safer because vinegar can encourage a bacterial bloom.

i have been told by matt that dust from new calcium reactor media can skew alkalinity testing, so maybe it is effecting your pH testing as well (just brainstorming here)

I have another PH Pinpoint Probe and no changes especially last night. PH went up at 8.8 but all the living animals seem to do well. I think im more worried than those occupants who's living in my tank.

Yup, RC doesnt have any answer either so i guess i have nothing to worry about.

Yup, maybe the calk dust must have played a big role.

Thank you by the way. ;)

[hobogato]

no problem - keep us posted.

[Bill S]

Frankly, I find that test kits that are relatively new, are more accurate than a probe. Don't get me wrong, I love my monitor, but I only use it to track trends. UNLESS you have recently calibrated it, it's probably not accurate.

[reefingood]

Frankly, I find that test kits that are relatively new, are more accurate than a probe. Don't get me wrong, I love my monitor, but I only use it to track trends. UNLESS you have recently calibrated it, it's probably not accurate.

oh man..new probe came in. the one with a ph controller..etc.

You guys are correct...darn old ph probe and the hanna ph stick are inaccurate.

I tested the water again with the new probe and walllah...it's on 8.1 - 8.1.5 and my lights are on. lolz

Geez, glad i didnt do anything stupid try lowering the PH.

Thank's guys!

[LoneStar]

If you are using pH electronic monitors, don't forget to calibrate them every month or so. The calibration fluids are fairly inexpensive and it does not take long to do it either. If you let your probes go longer than a months time frame, they will slowly get out of calibration.

[reefingood]

If you are using pH electronic monitors, don't forget to calibrate them every month or so. The calibration fluids are fairly inexpensive and it does not take long to do it either. If you let your probes go longer than a months time frame, they will slowly get out of calibration.

I have not calibrated the old ph for almost a year now. lolz that's why.

Thank you!