AFR and pH?

Bear22

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Guys,

I have been researching ways to increase pH and I have seen one or two comments that the use of TM's AFR as driving pH values down a bit?

Is this accurate even if the evidence is anecdotal?

TIA
 

exnisstech

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Easiest way I've found to get a pH bump is adding an outside airline to my skimmer intake. I went from a daily swing of 7.6-7.9 and after adding the airline my swing is now 8.0-8.4 I use AFR but I was using it long before I started monitoring pH so I can't say if it the AFR has any effect.
 

Randy Holmes-Farley

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Guys,

I have been researching ways to increase pH and I have seen one or two comments that the use of TM's AFR as driving pH values down a bit?

Is this accurate even if the evidence is anecdotal?

TIA

The evidence is sound and not anecdotal, but the lowering is quite small and identical to using sodium bicarbonate.
 
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Bear22

Bear22

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The evidence is sound and not anecdotal, but the lowering is quite small and identical to using sodium bicarbonate.
Thanks Randy.

Couple of questions: Is there a product that compares (aio) to AFR that doesn't "repress" pH values?

Secondly, and this is a differerent rabbit hole:

Do products like MicroBacter7 and/or PNS Probio lower pH values through biome/microbial activities?

Cheers
 

Randy Holmes-Farley

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Thanks Randy.

Couple of questions: Is there a product that compares (aio) to AFR that doesn't "repress" pH values?

Secondly, and this is a differerent rabbit hole:

Do products like MicroBacter7 and/or PNS Probio lower pH values through biome/microbial activities?

Cheers

Almost any bacterial degradation of organic matter adds CO2, which tends to lower pH. Adding more bacteria that consume organics may tend to lower pH.

The primary way to get a pH boost when dosingalkalinty is to use carbonate or hydroxide. There are two part systems that use these.

Kalkwasser has alk and calcium in one dilute solution that gives a pH boost.
 

Pistondog

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Thanks Randy.

Couple of questions: Is there a product that compares (aio) to AFR that doesn't "repress" pH values?

Secondly, and this is a differerent rabbit hole:

Do products like MicroBacter7 and/or PNS Probio lower pH values through biome/microbial activities?

Cheers
Not an aio, but b ionic 2 part raised my ph a couple of tenths when i switched.
 

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