tank parameters

[Rus]

looking for recomended adjustments for getting tank parameters in check.


i added a calcium reactor to our 155 gal. reef on April 5 ,2days later the readings were

tank ph - 7.68
calc. - 520
alk - 6.4 dkh

efl. ph - 6.97
efl. alk - 28.5 dkh


todays readings are :

tank ph - 7.55
calc - 500
alk - 7.0 dkh

efl. ph - 6.5
elf alk - 35.0 dkh


so far unable to raise ph or alk to desired levels , any suggestions? [ reactor media is ARM , and ph tested with pinpoint moniter. ] bulbble count is 1 per sec. and efl return is around 40 drops per min. if you nee any other info please let me know.


thanks - Russ

[Piero]

I'm not the best source on reactor adjustment. In the past I've used a trial-and-error method. But a few things that may give you some insight, and I'm sure others will pipe up:

- reactors do tend to have a break-in period of a month or two
- Your pH may be a bit low. I route my reactor effluent into the refugium, which aids in raising the pH level of that effluent back to regular levels before re-entering the water column.

wish I could offer more but I'm hesitant to tell you something that's not exactly correct...in terms of chemistry...anyone else?

[Rus]

just a quick update on my tank readings . one week later , [ i increase the effluent level to almost a steady very thin stream. bubble count remained the same at around 60 to 70 per minute. ]


tank - 7.60 ph [ am reading pm around 8.0 ]
- 480 calc.
- 9.3 alk [ this has gone up substancially ]


efll. - 6.85 ph [ this has increased ]
- 23 dkh [ dropped slightly ]


i think things are sorting them selves out except the ph , still remaing low. thinking about adding washing soda , but not sure of the ratio to add it at?

any thought or suggestions welcome .

thanks -Rus [ original readings are at the beggining of post ]

[Geoff]

i had a low ph problem for a while, but i solved it with more water flow along the top of the tank. the CO2 was not escaping from the water column and causing the ph to be low. i had a hard time getting the ph above 8. now it is consistently near 8.3.

in only use a kalk reactor right now so no help on that front. but since your ph was low even before adding the reactor i think it is something else.

what is your bio-load? do you have a sump or refugium? do you have any algaes growing?

G~

[David Grigor]

Using a CA reactor, expect your PH levels to be as low as 7.7-7.8 morning to 8.1+ in the evening. You shouldn't see any adverse effect from this as long as your ALK reading are nice and high.

If your really concerned about the PH levels, adding a Kalk Reactor for your makeup water will help offset the CA reactor or run refugium lights ( if you have one ) on reverse photoperied.

Adding just Baking Soda alone long term will cause ionic imbalance. There is a simple recipe on the various boards on the ratio to mix Baking Soda with something else ( You'll have to search as I don't recall exactly ). However, this will not solve anything as your going to constantly have to keep adding.

Personally, I would not use any additives to increase PH. You going to be constantly chasing numbers and IMO...