pH low due to excess C02, ideas?

[Coralsea_co]

Have a good Christmas

 

[dbjonesjr]

And in case you never found out why people suggest kalkwasser, it is because kalkwasser has ions that react with the CO2 in the water to create carbonate and bicarbonate alkalinity. So essentially the CO2 is what is being converted into alk!

 

[maevepotter]

Thanks! I hope we will. Here's my early present, a sea urchin. I am also going to be slowly introducing the rest of the fish to my 40b.

 

[BuvRahl]

co2 can't release from the water, as explained in some other posts. I found the option of adding a long line to outside, and attaching it to a c02 media binder along with my skimmer to only bring modest improvements. Even though I live in Denver, we have found the simplest and least expensive option to be having one window cracked about 2 inches at all times. You've probably also noticed that your c02 rises as more people are in the house, and/or for longer periods of time.

If you can imagine opening a coke in air that has the same amount of c02 as it does inside the bottle/can, you will never have that initial fizz or carbonation leave the liquid. Same as with the tank.

 

[Belgian Anthias]

To bring the pH at 8.2 you just have to use the ventilator? Or did you use supplements to boost pH?
As large daily pH fluctuations should be avoided, are you going to try to buffer the water at pH 8.2? Your daily ammonia production is now about 4x the production as it was at pH 7.6. Probably it will be difficult to stabilize the pH in this system and in that situation I would avoid high pH.
I would try to buffer the tank at a lower pH , 7.8 should be OK, pH will be more stable this way and ammonia level fluctuations will be limited.

 

[maevepotter]

I had added a tiny amount of buffer a few days ago (less than half the dose for a 20g, and I have a 40g). Other than that, nothing, just have an air stone, the hob and 2 powerheads. Opened windows with fan.

 

[JDtimk]

I run an Alita air pump from an outside window through to my skimmer and algae scrubber. I works fine in sub-freezing temps so far in upstate NY.