- Joined
- Jul 12, 2019
- Messages
- 111
- Reaction score
- 98
Over the last few months, I've been hearing much more conversations about boosting pH on various YouTube videos. I wasn't happy with my pH levels, so I decided to jump on the train myself. Because all windows are closed due to outside heat in south Florida, CO2 level in my home typically range from 800-1200 ppm. One average so far, I seem to have elevated my pH by an average of 0.23. Just sharing my results if anyone is considering.
I normally dose BRS Calcium Chloride and Sodium Carbonate (Soda Ash), I decided to swap out the soda ash and use Sodium Hydroxide in accordance to Randy's recipe (282 grams + 1 gallon water).
pH using Soda Ash
pH dosing Sodium Hydroxide
This is the brand I selected, which claims to the 99% pure.
While I was at it, I sent in a sample for Triton ICP analysis of just the sodium hydroxide in RODI water. All 6 stages of my RODI filter were brand new to make sure I had the most pure RODI water used. I must admit, I have more questions after looking at the ICP results. Pay no attention to the absolute values as I made an solution of an arbitrary concentration. What really confuses me is the presence of various other metals being present. I'm not sure if these are from the impurities, a faulty ICP analysis or if the 99% purity is an incorrect claim?
One thing I can say is that sometimes we take precautionary steps for granted, you absolutely have to be super careful working with this solution!
While mixing the crystals with water, I caught a whiff of the vapors and I immediately started coughing. This stuff will irritate your nostrils and lungs! Not to mention this stuff is used to dissolve flesh from bones!
Another thing to note is it must be dripped in a very HIGH FLOW area. I had it dripping in my return section of my sump, and was wondering why my pH and alkalinity was still going down. I checked a few hours later and saw it was just collecting in the bottom corner of the chamber, almost like jelly. Once I added a small pump in the chamber everything got mixing and my pH and alkalinity spiked up.
Overall, I'm pleased with the results. I've seen a 30%-40% increase in Calcium solution uptake. I'm sure if I were to open up my windows I would probably reach a pH of 8.4. Whether there's a longer term problem caused by impurities remains to be seen, but so far I don't see any ill effects in any corals or fish. I'll give it a few months before sending in another ICP test.
I normally dose BRS Calcium Chloride and Sodium Carbonate (Soda Ash), I decided to swap out the soda ash and use Sodium Hydroxide in accordance to Randy's recipe (282 grams + 1 gallon water).
pH using Soda Ash
pH dosing Sodium Hydroxide
This is the brand I selected, which claims to the 99% pure.
While I was at it, I sent in a sample for Triton ICP analysis of just the sodium hydroxide in RODI water. All 6 stages of my RODI filter were brand new to make sure I had the most pure RODI water used. I must admit, I have more questions after looking at the ICP results. Pay no attention to the absolute values as I made an solution of an arbitrary concentration. What really confuses me is the presence of various other metals being present. I'm not sure if these are from the impurities, a faulty ICP analysis or if the 99% purity is an incorrect claim?
|
|
|
|
One thing I can say is that sometimes we take precautionary steps for granted, you absolutely have to be super careful working with this solution!
While mixing the crystals with water, I caught a whiff of the vapors and I immediately started coughing. This stuff will irritate your nostrils and lungs! Not to mention this stuff is used to dissolve flesh from bones!
Another thing to note is it must be dripped in a very HIGH FLOW area. I had it dripping in my return section of my sump, and was wondering why my pH and alkalinity was still going down. I checked a few hours later and saw it was just collecting in the bottom corner of the chamber, almost like jelly. Once I added a small pump in the chamber everything got mixing and my pH and alkalinity spiked up.
Overall, I'm pleased with the results. I've seen a 30%-40% increase in Calcium solution uptake. I'm sure if I were to open up my windows I would probably reach a pH of 8.4. Whether there's a longer term problem caused by impurities remains to be seen, but so far I don't see any ill effects in any corals or fish. I'll give it a few months before sending in another ICP test.