Water change and PH

[Troy Valentine]

1/4tsp of Kalk= 8.2PH in freshly mixed SW.

I know that aerating SW before use has other benefits, but for me time is most important. I figure at least the PH will be inline with my system.
It has become a new challenge to me since my children have gotten to the age where they are into everything that dad is doing... I love their curiosity, but this can lead to some mischievious behavior like UFOs in my top off water. Especially when it needs to sit somewhere for 24+hrs before I use it. I already told then that if they throw pennies into the tank your wish will not come true, but they think top off water is fair game.

Does anyone else do this? How has it worked for you?

[Big_Pun]

I've been thinking the same thing since Ive been wanting to start using kalk reactor and some laying around . I tested the ph on my fresh mix and notices its a lil low, and my tank has been running low ph since I got it up 7.55 during the day.

[allan]

I just did a 17 gallon water change. Didn't even think about the ph, but I had intended on adding kalk to boost calcium. I forgot it though.

[350gt]

I changed my water the other day and noticed the ph in my tank dropped to 7.2 that night. Was a bit worried but it rose to 7.7 in the morning and is now somewhat steady at 7.9... I would like it a bit higher but done want to over shoot it...

[Troy Valentine]

I changed my water the other day and noticed the ph in my tank dropped to 7.2 that night. Was a bit worried but it rose to 7.7 in the morning and is now somewhat steady at 7.9... I would like it a bit higher but done want to over shoot it...

Wow! Whats with such low PH in your system and Chris's. Are you also running biopellet? Sandbed? With readings this low I don't know why I was nervous when mine would get down to 7.8 while running a calcium reactor....

[Big_Pun]

im running bio pellets sand bed is only 1-2 inches. in my old system,
I had the outlet attached right in front of skimmer maybe I'll try that again see if that helps. looks like I'll be messing with sump tomorrow. im also about to order the two lil fishies kalk reactor, the tunze one didn't work out, brand new check valve failed dumped kalk back into ATO reservoir had to pull it out to rinse that junk!

[350gt]

No biopellets here and sand bed is 3-4 inches.

Everything looks fine but I don't like how it fluctuates.....

[Troy Valentine]

brand new check valve failed dumped kalk back into ATO reservoir had to pull it out to rinse that junk!

Once that Kalk hits those check valves they will never work the same again.I learned that lesson after buring up 3 valves.... I ended up going with a solenoid that opens when power is supplied to the pump and closes when it is off. This has worked very well for the past 6 years or so. Kalk hasn't back siphoned since I went to it.

[Bill S]

I almost never leave mine long before using. Typically just unit the salt dissolves.

[Big_Pun]

I almost never leave mine long before using. Typically just unit the salt dissolves.

I'm the same when water looks clear and salinity is right i use it.