Raise pH without Raising Alkalinity

[coralboi56]

Recently, I calibrated my Hannah HI98103 meter. The meter is seems to be accurate according to the testing solutions, and gives a nice reading with a +- .1 reading.
I tested my tank in it came at a dangerously low 6.8, but, my alkalinity is at 11.2. My question is two fold

1. How did my pH get this low? Both the reading in the aquarium and the reading in a sealed gallon jug of unused 1.025 salt water are 6.8, but my RODI is a normal 8.2. Could the salt be a bad batch and should I get new salt? (Currently using a bucket of Reef Crystals)

2. How can I raise pH safely without raising my alkalinity if it's even possible?

 

[Sdot]

Recently, I calibrated my Hannah HI98103 meter. The meter is seems to be accurate according to the testing solutions, and gives a nice reading with a +- .1 reading.
I tested my tank in it came at a dangerously low 6.8, but, my alkalinity is at 11.2. My question is two fold

1. How did my pH get this low? Both the reading in the aquarium and the reading in a sealed gallon jug of unused 1.025 salt water are 6.8, but my RODI is a normal 8.2. Could the salt be a bad batch and should I get new salt?

2. How can I raise pH safely without raising my alkalinity if it's even possible?

A co2 scrubber connected to your skimmer.

 

[coralboi56]

A co2 scrubber connected to your skimmer.

I have a 7.4 gallon tank. I have neither a scrubber nor skimmer :grinning-face-with-sweat:

 

[so_so_reef]

Alk sounds about right for reef crystals. Generally low pH comes from co2 in the air forming carbonic acid in the water. There are only three ways I know to raise pH without raising dKH and that's opening the windows (not always an option), co2 scrubber, and/or a refugium. Anything chemical based with also affect dKH.

 

[coralboi56]

Alk sounds about right for reef crystals. Generally low pH comes from co2 in the air forming carbonic acid in the water. There are only three ways I know to raise pH without raising dKH and that's opening the windows (not always an option), co2 scrubber, and/or a refugium. Anything chemical based with also affect dKH.

I get that the aquarium can be that low via CO2, but what about the sealed unused 1.025 salinity water? How did that get so low if it's not exposed to the air? My only guess would be the salt mix

But I'm way ahead of you on the windows/doors :grinning-face-with-sweat:

 

[so_so_reef]

I get that the aquarium can be that low via CO2, but what about the sealed unused 1.025 salinity water? How did that get so low if it's not exposed to the air? My only guess would be the salt mix

But I'm way ahead of you on the windows/doors :grinning-face-with-sweat:

Not sure, but I know RC shouldn't be mixed and stored as it's an enriched salt. Maybe that's affected pH?

 

[coralboi56]

Not sure, but I know RC shouldn't be mixed and stored as it's an enriched salt. Maybe that's affected pH?

I'll see what happens to the pH on a fresh batch of mixed water and report back to you :slightly-smiling-face:

 

[Garf]

Recently, I calibrated my Hannah HI98103 meter. The meter is seems to be accurate according to the testing solutions, and gives a nice reading with a +- .1 reading.
I tested my tank in it came at a dangerously low 6.8, but, my alkalinity is at 11.2. My question is two fold

1. How did my pH get this low? Both the reading in the aquarium and the reading in a sealed gallon jug of unused 1.025 salt water are 6.8, but my RODI is a normal 8.2. Could the salt be a bad batch and should I get new salt? (Currently using a bucket of Reef Crystals)

2. How can I raise pH safely without raising my alkalinity if it's even possible?

If that reading we're true, your sand and rock would be slowly dissolving. Did you calibrate the meter with 4 & 7 calibration solution, or 7 & 10?

 

[coralboi56]

If that reading we're true, your sand and rock would be slowly dissolving. Did you calibrate the meter with 4 & 7 calibration solution, or 7 & 10?

4.01 and 7.01

 

[Garf]

4.01 and 7.01

Yeah, that can throw them off. Use 7 & 10.

 

[Sdot]

4.01 and 7.01

7&10

 

[coralboi56]

Yeah, that can throw them off. Use 7 & 10.

I definitely would, but my meter doesn’t have a 10 point calibration method for some reason

 

[twentyleagues]

Not sure, but I know RC shouldn't be mixed and stored as it's an enriched salt. Maybe that's affected pH?

I have stored rc for years with no issues. I used to mix a box at a time and use it over a months time. Never had issues '99-2012. I am having some atm but I think its co2 related working on that now pretty sure they have not changed the salt in the years I was away. I am not having ph issues its alk issues I'm having.

OP
I think test is wrong

 

[twentyleagues]

Wow all those reply's while I hunt and peck...lol
Better late then never I guess

 

[coralboi56]

Not sure, but I know RC shouldn't be mixed and stored as it's an enriched salt. Maybe that's affected pH?

Update: RODI reads around 9 ish, but freshly mixed salt water reads at 6.4

 

[Garf]

Update: freshly mixed salt water reads at 6.4

I think your meter is playing games with you. You not got a crappy API pH liquid test kit?

 

[coralboi56]

I think your meter is playing games with you. You not got a crappy API pH liquid test kit?

Haha I was looking at those a few weeks ago but those are $20. Was too much for me at the time. Now… might not be a bad idea to go find one

 

[salty150]

aquavitro balance - raises pH without affecting calcium and alkalinity

https://www.aquavitro.com/balance.php

 

[Garf]

aquavitro balance - raises pH without affecting calcium and alkalinity

https://www.aquavitro.com/balance.php

How? Magic?

 

[coralboi56]

How? Magic?

I’m fine with that so long as my reef is at 8ish h