Blowing away a ph spike

[BeejReef]

I imagine this has been discussed before. I did a quick search on the site, but most all the threads were about raising ph, not lowering it.

Wanted to give credit for making a video and sharing this idea to Klem's Reefing. It got me out of a tough spot last night and let me go to bed at a reasonable hour.

Anyhow, blowing into your skimmer' air intake to lower PH really does work! Conceptually, I know most of us understand the relationship between carbon dioxide and ph. What I guess I mean to say is that it works FAST and you really might consider it for a one-time adjustment.

In my case, I forgot to unplug my ATO during a water change and it pumped in Kalk top off for a good minute or two before I noticed. Wasn't catastrophic, I went up about .5 DKH. My ph runs at the high end (8.4) though, and it was pushing 8.7 at 11p.m. on a sunday night.

As per the video's instructions, I got down on my knees and started blowing :) 20 deep exhales later, I was back to 8.3 and able to go to sleep without trying to calculate any dosages, correct down, correct up, re-test.. none of that.

That's on about 75g of total water volume and an ex-smoker's lungs. It seriously should work for most any commonly found tank size.

 

[Scorpius]

Interesting....

 

[tehmadreefer]

Best advice on ph. Throw away your ph tests and don't worry about it!

 

[BeejReef]

Best advice on ph. Throw away your ph tests and don't worry about it!

That's probably good advise I'll learn to appreciate.
I do feel obligated to test and remedy a spike in any parameter that I've caused due to my own error though.

 

[SMSREEF]

I imagine this has been discussed before. I did a quick search on the site, but most all the threads were about raising ph, not lowering it.

Wanted to give credit for making a video and sharing this idea to Klem's Reefing. It got me out of a tough spot last night and let me go to bed at a reasonable hour.

Anyhow, blowing into your skimmer' air intake to lower PH really does work! Conceptually, I know most of us understand the relationship between carbon dioxide and ph. What I guess I mean to say is that it works FAST and you really might consider it for a one-time adjustment.

In my case, I forgot to unplug my ATO during a water change and it pumped in Kalk top off for a good minute or two before I noticed. Wasn't catastrophic, I went up about .5 DKH. My ph runs at the high end (8.4) though, and it was pushing 8.7 at 11p.m. on a sunday night.

As per the video's instructions, I got down on my knees and started blowing :) 20 deep exhales later, I was back to 8.3 and able to go to sleep without trying to calculate any dosages, correct down, correct up, re-test.. none of that.

That's on about 75g of total water volume and an ex-smoker's lungs. It seriously should work for most any commonly found tank size.

I’m doing a water change and I just used your easy technique of blowing my CO2 to lower PH of my new saltwater to match that of my tank.

Very cool and so much better than chemicals. Thanks for posting this @William DeCoursey

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I’m doing a water change and I just used your easy technique of blowing my CO2 to lower PH of my new saltwater to match that of my tank.

Very cool and so much better than chemicals. Thanks for posting this @William DeCoursey

Uh, you added a chemical from the air. dang chemicals. They are everywhere. [emoji23]

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Best advice on ph. Throw away your ph tests and don't worry about it!

Ignorance is bliss, for some. I prefer to know and respond accordingly. [emoji3]

 

[Brew12]

Uh, you added a chemical from the air. dang chemicals. They are everywhere. [emoji23]

I'm a big fan of chemicals. Doing some testing with CH3CH2OH right now.

Poolside.... with a blender and ice.

 

[SMSREEF]

Uh, you added a chemical from the air. dang chemicals. They are everywhere. [emoji23]

... very true...but this one I can make myself rather than go to the store for... plus I didn’t mess anything else up. I have a tendency to add a chemical for one issue and have it lead to another.

The ph prior to all my hot air was 8.8 afterward 8.3 and matched my tank.
I thought this was cool, but I’m far from a chemist so I’m easily entertained by this

I’m learning my reef chemistry little by little from reading your articles Randy

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I'm a big fan of chemicals. Doing some testing with CH3CH2OH right now.

Poolside.... with a blender and ice.

Nice!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

... very true...but this one I can make myself rather than go to the store for... plus I didn’t mess anything else up. I have a tendency to add a chemical for one issue and have it lead to another.

The ph prior to all my hot air was 8.8 afterward 8.3 and matched my tank.
I thought this was cool, but I’m far from a chemist so I’m easily entertained by this

I’m learning my reef chemistry little by little from reading your articles Randy

When someone does really have a pH spike, he quickest and cheap solution is to add seltzer, just CO2 dissolved in water.

Vinegar is also good to use, but does not present all of its pH lowering instantly the way Co2 does.

I recommend these here:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-03/rhf/

and

pH And The Reef Aquarium
http://www.reefedition.com/ph-and-the-reef-aquarium/

 

[Dkeller_nc]

Personally, I prefer reagent-grade concentrated hydrochloric acid (12N), but seltzer is a better idea for most. Much easier to obtain, and much less dangerous in the hands of the inexperienced.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Personally, I prefer reagent-grade concentrated hydrochloric acid (12N), but seltzer is a better idea for most. Much easier to obtain, and much less dangerous in the hands of the inexperienced.

I agree that is good if lowering alk is also needed.