Low ph help

Jphvav90

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My tank has been up for over 2 years. I have a neptune system that said the ph was 8.2 but then I lost 2-3 corals and I did all the manual testing then re calibrated the ph probe and it reads 7.8 it's back to 8 from changing the co2 scrubber media but is there anything else I can use to prevent it from dropping. I use red sea products for dosing.
 

Troylee

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Only thing that will help without raising alkalinity is letting your house air out.. running a skimmer line outside don’t do much I’ve been dealing with this issue myself.
 

Dom

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Increase oxygen in the room by opening a window, and then turn on a fan in the room.

What is your Alkalinity in the tank?
 

hexcolor reef

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Alk Is at 8.8 right now
Calcium is 416
Is ph balance oh a product?
Yes it’s a product.
Calcium needs to be higher and when using any PH buffer it will raise your ALK so you would need to keep an eye on that if you plan to use a PH buffer. Since your calcium needs to be raised it should level out your alk around 9/10 while dosing PH buffers
Calcium ions play a major roll with PH levels. Keep your calcium at 450-500.
I push for 500 in my reef tank

IMG_4758.jpeg
 
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Pvtgloss

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I did the recirculating Co2 scrubber with the three way solenoid valve. When Ph reaches 8.3 the solenoid turns valve to fresh air.
 
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Jphvav90

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Yes it’s a product.
Calcium needs to be higher and when using any PH buffer it will raise your ALK so you would need to keep an eye on that if you plan to use a PH buffer. Since your calcium needs to be raised it should level out your alk around 9/10 while dosing PH buffers
Calcium ions play a major roll with PH levels. Keep your calcium at 450-500.
I push for 500 in my reef tank

IMG_4758.jpeg
Should I try raising the calcium before using the buffer
 

hexcolor reef

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Should I try raising the calcium before using the buffer
It wouldn’t matter the order of dosing. Just go light on the PH booster, dose it gradually. I have my dosing pump set up 10ml a day, split between 50 doses 0.20ml
If you choose to use OH Balance make sure you dose in a high flow area of the tank or mix it in because it doesn’t mix very well on its own.
I dose mine directly to sump with a high power wave maker inside the sump aiming at dosing area
IMG_4759.jpeg
 
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Court_Appointed_Hypeman

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Increase oxygen in the room by opening a window, and then turn on a fan in the room.

What is your Alkalinity in the tank?
Oxygen doesn't corelate to CO2 concentration, but this is still true that airing out the room will absolutely decrease the CO2 in the tank.

You can have high O2 and high CO2, it's not the oxygen, but the reduction in concentration of CO2 in the air.
 

Troylee

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It wouldn’t matter the order of dosing. Just go light on the PH booster, dose it gradually. I have my dosing pump set up 10ml a day, split between 50 doses 0.20ml
If you choose to use OH Balance make sure you dose in a high flow area of the tank or mix it in because it doesn’t mix very well on its own.
I dose mine directly to sump with a high power wave maker inside the sump aiming at dosing area
IMG_4759.jpeg
Or you can just get some sodium hydroxide which I’m positive that’s what that is, for Pennie’s on the dollar and have about 15 gallons of super saturated alk supplement.
 
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Jphvav90

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It wouldn’t matter the order of dosing. Just go light on the PH booster, dose it gradually. I have my dosing pump set up 10ml a day, split between 50 doses 0.20ml
If you choose to use OH Balance make sure you dose in a high flow area of the tank or mix it in because it doesn’t mix very well on its own.
I dose mine directly to sump with a high power wave maker inside the sump aiming at dosing area
IMG_4759.jpeg
How long have you been using the balance OH for?
 

hexcolor reef

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How long have you been using the balance OH for?
3 months, I switched from a different product which was throwing my Alk out of whack. OH balance isn’t suppose to affect Alk but it does a little. So if your PH is already sitting at 7.8-8.0 and your aiming for 8.2-8.4 depending on size of tank you would only need about 5ml starting which shouldn’t affect your Alk that much
 
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Jphvav90

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3 months, I switched from a different product which was throwing my Alk out of whack. OH balance isn’t suppose to affect Alk but it does a little. So if your PH is already sitting at 7.8-8.0 and your aiming for 8.2-8.4 depending on size of tank you would only need about 5ml starting which shouldn’t affect your Alk that much
The whole system is 135gallons.
 
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Jphvav90

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The whole system is 135gallons.
3 months, I switched from a different product which was throwing my Alk out of whack. OH balance isn’t suppose to affect Alk but it does a little. So if your PH is already sitting at 7.8-8.0 and your aiming for 8.2-8.4 depending on size of tank you would only need about 5ml starting which shouldn’t affect your Alk that much
How long have you been in the hobby
 

MnFish1

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I wouldn't be concerned about the pH especially if it's at 8. However - you could consider using saturated Kalkwasser as your replacement water - which will help with alkalinity, Ca and to a degree pH.

The main cause of a low pH is high Carbon dioxide in the room - ie. if you have your windows closed, if you have a large party, etc.
 
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Jphvav90

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2 years and going strong :smiling-face-with-sunglasses:
Definitely frustrating sometimes
I wouldn't be concerned about the pH especially if it's at 8. However - you could consider using saturated Kalkwasser as your replacement water - which will help with alkalinity, Ca and to a degree pH.

The main cause of a low pH is high Carbon dioxide in the room - ie. if you have your windows closed, if you have a large party, etc.
I live in ny I can't keep them open all year round I have a c02 scrubber but that might not be enough
 

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