Another PH Dilemma
- Thread starter flyfisher2
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OP
OP
ALK is 8.6
OP
OP
Thanks Zombie for your help with this matter, I really do appreciate your time, but I'm trying to understand it as I go along as well. How can you determine the PH to be 7.6- 7.7 and not closer to the 8.0 readings from the other test kits?
ZombieEngineer
Valuable Member
House on the newer side, AC cranked and doors and windows well sealed? If yes, problem is likely elevated indoor air CO2. Super common in newer "energy efficient" homes.
ZombieEngineer
Valuable Member
I determine that because the baking soda is another known test that should have read 8.3 but read 8.2. This combined with your calibration packets reading accurately tell me the pH cannot be reading more than about 0.1pH low since we more or less have 3 different sources confirming the apex probe being within 0.1 of expected.
Jubei2006
Well-Known Member
So your alkalinity is 8.6. Are you using a calcium reactor and is the effluent line anywhere near your pH probe. If it is a CO2 problem in the environment, open windows in the tank room, and/or run the skimmer air intake line outside and see what happebs.
OP
OP
No calcium reactor
Dosing 2 part
Tried the hose from skimmer to attic bit but no significant change.
Note: this was when I assumed my PH was in fact 8.0 for these last two years.
Windows open in Central Florida in August is a No no.
I’d be outside with the tank in my lap.
OP
OP
Jubei2006
Well-Known Member
Yeah the windows open was mainly to test for few hours to see if the pH drops. Guess the heat and the bird sized mosquitoes would be a slight issue! Anyway you could crack a window long enough to vent the skimmer i take directly outside for a few hours to check for a change? And if you are running a refugium/algae scrubber, is it on an opposite light schedule to the tank?
OP
OP
I do run a refugium and it runs about 18 hours a day. Oddly enough the tank seems okay. Acros are growing and I don't really see an issue. I don't want to go nuts chasing a number that for all I know isn't even accurate. Just frustrating to not be sure.
Jubei2006
Well-Known Member
If acros are growing, great, dont chase dragons! Might tweak a couple things like reverse light cycle between refugium and tank to try to even out the pH where its at. Id still crack the window a 1/4 inch or so to run the skimmer air intake outside for a couple hours to see if it changes, if yes, find a permanent solution, if no change, no worries. Can use a towel or something to create a thermal/pest barrier to the outside while you're ruuning the skimmer test. Also if multiple test give you a very close answer and one is way skewd, it is probably wrong. Electronics are not infallible, and there may be probe error, interference from a close by source, or something else of that nature. I know its expensive, but if you had another pH probe or meter, you could replace/or drop it right next to the current one to double check as well.
OP
OP
You're thinking along the same line I am. I see three to one. I'll see if I have another probe that's wet in my stash. Like I said, had I not bought the Apex I'd be happily testing with the Salifert and being content with my 8.0 readings. Now I went 'high tech' and I don't know what is what.
Jubei2006
Well-Known Member
In my job we use electronic monitoring for animals under anesthesia frequently. When I was in school, we were taught that machines are nice, efficient, and give us good information, but do not totally rely on them. Pay attention to your patient first! If readings dont match or are wonky, a lot of times it's machine error. Your aquarium animals are telling you they're all right, especially if they are rewarding your efforts with good growth and coloration. In this case, I'd think of your 7.whatever it is as a baseline, and if it starts to vary widely, then panic.
OP
OP
Ok so here’s a curve ball…
Found an OLD but new Pinpoint PH Probe in my box over ‘never throw away’
The tip was covered but crusty,
Inside it has fluid
I disconnected the Neptune and manually calibrated the Pinpoint
After calibration I’m at 7.69
So anywhere from 7.55 to 8.1
Your guess is as good as mine
Found an OLD but new Pinpoint PH Probe in my box over ‘never throw away’
The tip was covered but crusty,
Inside it has fluid
I disconnected the Neptune and manually calibrated the Pinpoint
After calibration I’m at 7.69
So anywhere from 7.55 to 8.1
Your guess is as good as mine
OP
OP
ZombieEngineer
Valuable Member
This one is likely dead on. If you check that baking soda solution you made earlier, I bet you it reads almost 8.3 on the dot.
OP
OP
dang I dumped it but now you got me going I’ll do it again!
OP
OP
Actually slightly lower.
Keep in mind that both times my measurements have been made using kitchen items.
Far from lab accuracy.
OP
OP
Temperature was bearable this morning so I opened the entire house this AM and took advantage of that to wash the screens.
House has been entirely open for 4 hours.
PH with Salifert 8.1
APEX crawled up to 7.79
I have a phone consult with them Wednesday.
House has been entirely open for 4 hours.
PH with Salifert 8.1
APEX crawled up to 7.79
I have a phone consult with them Wednesday.
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