Alk and pH Ph,ALK,reef,

[heaven425]

Hello
I have a situation my water comes from a well and where I live it is mostly sand so my water is very very clean (filtered) my tds is between 15 to 20 ppm and the pH is very very low will not read pH on high range test that I have so I have been adding products to raise pH like seachem reef buffer and others my problem is it also raises my ALK which is very high is there a way to raise pH without raising ALK and how to safely decrease ALK
Thanks

 

[Phil D.]

What type of salt do you use? I use the Red Sea Pro salt which has higher Alk and PH readings when you mix it. This may offset your low levels and solve the problem

 

[Dr. Reef]

All products that raise pH are actually alkalinity buffers with temporary effects on pH. You are wasting time and money on chasing pH using chemicals.
I would not use buffers. I am not sure how much of an effect the following will have but you can give it a try.
Try collecting the water and placing a power head and air stone in it in order to drive CO2 out and oxygen in. (Least expensive)
Or you can run the water through a CO2 scrubber (more expensive).

 

[heaven425]

All products that raise pH are actually alkalinity buffers with temporary effects on pH. You are wasting time and money on chasing pH using chemicals.
I would not use buffers. I am not sure how much of an effect the following will has but you can give it a try.
Try collecting the water and placing a power head and air stone in it in order to drive CO2 out and oxygen in. (Least expensive)
Or you can run the water through a CO2 scrubber (more expensive).

Thanks so much will try it and hope it works.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I personally would not use the well water without a test for metals.

 

[heaven425]

It has been tested and we have used it for years but we do need to get it tested again because an apartment building went in next to property that used to be just a field. Thanks