Low Ph 7.59 using calcium reactor

Discussion in 'Water Chemistry' started by thang45, Nov 7, 2011.

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  1. m2434

    m2434 Giant Squid

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    LOL I got skilz, what can I say ;D. Well, around here, no one seems to show up for meetings on time. Therefore there is plenty of time sitting in conference rooms waiting. So, I get a good amount of practice :)


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  3. thang45

    thang45 Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    I had my reef tank for about 1.5 yr now and never really understood the relationship between cal, alk, ph and mg. All I know is that I need the ph to be around 8.1 - 8.3, cal between 420-450ppm and alk between 9-11. But your last post helped me connect the dots. So thank you very much.

    I'm planning to buy an airline tonight and run it outside. I live in Canada so opening windows is not an option in winter.

    I don't think I have added too much alk but will test it tonight.
     
  4. thang45

    thang45 Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    LOL I didn't even know that. You got skills.
     
  5. thang45

    thang45 Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    BTW, can I use baking soda to bring up the pH? Will the pH be stable?
     
  6. m2434

    m2434 Giant Squid

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    Baking soda adds alkalinity, but also adds CO2. The result of the CO2 is that while the alk goes up, the pH does not. So, no, this will not help. Baked baking soda will raise the alk and pH, but not as much as kalkwasser. Of the alkalinity supplements, kalk will tend to have the most substantial effect on pH.


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  7. thang45

    thang45 Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    Thanks! I didn't know that.
     
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  9. thang45

    thang45 Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    Ok here are my results.
    Calcium (inconsistent numbers between ELOS and Salifert)
    413ppm with Hanna checker
    420ppm with ELOS
    330ppm with Salifert

    Alkalinity

    8.0 with Salifert
    7.7with Hanna checker

    Mg is1260 with Salifert

    Nitrate is 25 with Salifert

    Phosphate is 0.11 with Hanna checker

    Which calcium test kit should I trust? I stopped using the calcium reactor about a month ago because I thought the other two are more reliable and now some big colonies are dying.