Raising PH with raising Akalinity?

glblguy · 03-23-2008, 10:11 AM

Sorry: Title should be WITHOUT raising Akalinity...sorry

I would like to get my ph up to get rid of some of the hair algae I have. What is the best thing to use to raise my ph?

It's sitting at about 8.2 right now and I would like to raise it to 8.4. My dKH is higher than I would like, so I don't want to increase it any. dKH is currently about 13 based on the "dip" strips I am using.

I ordered ELOS KH and Magnesium strips yesterday, so hoping they will be here soon.

Tangster · 03-23-2008, 12:08 PM

Raising the DKH will raise the P.H P.H readings are dictated by the carbonate hardness levels and the time of Day .. P.H in and of its self means little and does less Its just an Indication of the amount of available carbonates to off set acids . But to jack the P.H up and not effect the DKH not as much just get some Arm and hammer washing soda this will raise the Ph and less effect on the DKH. Or a shot of Borate I use 20 mule team laundry Booster to do this as it helps to stabilize P.H But again before doing anything the P.H of 8.2 is pretty good and depending on time of day it was measured and how was it tested ? You may not want to tweak it.. Just get the Carbonates or DKH to 12 and Ca to 450 and Mag to 1400 ppm.. To fight algae also a simple air stone in the system will raise P.H as it pushes out CO'2 and more water surface agitation and circulation will help raise PH if you have the DKH at a high enough level.

glblguy · 03-23-2008, 06:39 PM

Thanks Tangster...I tested the PH in the morning about 1hour after turning on my Actinics. It was tested with a API PH liquid test kit.

I'm not sure I trust the dKH reading from the test strip, but I'll know for sure later this week once the new ELOS kits arrive.

One interesting note, I tested my Ca about a week ago, it was around 350. I've been adding Purple Up to try and get the Ca levels up. Tested it today, and the Ca level was 250. So it dropped...

Guessing this is probably due to my Mg level being low maybe? Can't test Mg until my test kit arrives...

reef_guru · 03-24-2008, 09:39 AM

test strips arent good enough, salifert makes a good test kit. knowing your Mg, Ca, dKH is a must. until you figure out those parameters i wouldnt mess around with the pH.

glblguy · 03-24-2008, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reef_guru

test strips arent good enough, salifert makes a good test kit. knowing your Mg, Ca, dKH is a must. until you figure out those parameters i wouldnt mess around with the pH.

Ok. Salifert's are next to impossible to get right now, so I ordered ELOS. Should be here in a few days. I'll post the test results once I get the kits in. Ordered ELOC Mg and Kh test kits, my Ca is a salifert kit.

reef_guru · 03-24-2008, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Ca level was 250

glad to hear Ca was salifert, but 250 is way to low. 380 minimum

Reef Aquarium Water Parameters by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

lunatik_69 · 03-24-2008, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glblguy

Ok. Salifert's are next to impossible to get right now, so I ordered ELOS. Should be here in a few days. I'll post the test results once I get the kits in. Ordered ELOC Mg and Kh test kits, my Ca is a salifert kit.

Try Aquarium supplies for your tropical fish tank, saltwater fish tank, saltwater aquarium fish, freshwater aquarium fish & reef aquarium. Aquarium filters, aquarium lighting, aquarium tanks, protein skimmers & more for your reef tank. They have all Salifert test kits, I just bought Mag the other day.

Tangster · 03-24-2008, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glblguy

Thanks Tangster...I tested the PH in the morning about 1hour after turning on my Actinics. It was tested with a API PH liquid test kit.

I'm not sure I trust the dKH reading from the test strip, but I'll know for sure later this week once the new ELOS kits arrive.

One interesting note, I tested my Ca about a week ago, it was around 350. I've been adding Purple Up to try and get the Ca levels up. Tested it today, and the Ca level was 250. So it dropped...

Guessing this is probably due to my Mg level being low maybe? Can't test Mg until my test kit arrives...

No strip or liquid regent kits works that well on a marine system and like i mentioned PH means little as the Carbonates controls the PH levels and the the PH has no effect on the Carbonates level.. if you have a P.H of 8.00 just an hr of actinic running you are good to go at that time of day 7.8 to 7.9 is not out of the normal range . P.H goes up all day long as the lights run.. The trick with P.H is like with ORP its the reading on average on any day at about the same time of the photo period Say its one average 8.1 at a Hr or so after main lights are on and then suddenly its at 7.9 then you have a problem that would need attention.. Test you PH. At just before lights go out see what you have.. Thats why monitor meters are needed with PH.

Bogie · 03-24-2008, 11:27 AM

Sorry to thread-jack, but are the API test kits for Ca, KH, and Phosphate any good?

Tangster · 03-24-2008, 11:48 AM

For the P.H I'd just get me a Milwaukee monitor 74.00 or so and be done with it as for other test I find the red sea to do a good simple job salifert is good but they have issues also recently .. I have never used API But they are a good company..