Ph question

[mu8st7ang]

So my ph has been around 8.44 during the day and 8.35ish at night. So I thought that was a little high as my zoas were not opening. I add some vinegar and drop it down to 8.32 and at night it would go to 8.25 much better I feel. But the vinegar wore off and now it is 8.48 during day and 8.38 at night. Why is it so high? Alk is 9.6 cal 470 mag 1410. Is 8.44 safe? I have recalibrated 3 times and get same reading. If this is high how can I lower perminently?

 

[fishman1069]

If it's staying at those numbers, I would leave it alone. You want stability, nit a specific number

 

[mu8st7ang]

Ok sounds good but is 8.44/8.48 high?

 

[fishman1069]

I wouldn't say it's too high but it's a little higher than the norm. We try to stay in the 7.8-8.4 range, with most people having the problem of keeping it above 7.8. I've learned a while ago not to chase specific numbers. You want everything to stay stable. If your ph is staying at 8.48 with a minimal drop at night, you are doing fine. If it starts fluctuating more than that, then you wanna start looking for solutions.

 

[smoq]

I wouldn't say it's too high but it's a little higher than the norm. We try to stay in the 7.8-8.4 range, with most people having the problem of keeping it above 7.8. I've learned a while ago not to chase specific numbers. You want everything to stay stable. If your ph is staying at 8.48 with a minimal drop at night, you are doing fine. If it starts fluctuating more than that, then you wanna start looking for solutions.

+1 Well said. If your pH does not fluctuate wildly, leave it alone. Buffering for pH can do more damage than good.

 

[MIKE NY]

8.44 isn't dangerous and as mentioned stability is the key, but if it bothers you then lower it...how are you mainataining those #s..dosing or a reactor?

 

[pecan2phat]

Recently my fowlr system that is not using CA or Kalk reactors has drifted to the 8.5 range during the day. I've verified my PH probe with an independent hand held and it seems to be correct.
The usual norm is trying to correct a low PH in a non reactor/non dosing environment, go figure :scratchch

 

[vio]

So my ph has been around 8.44 during the day and 8.35ish at night. So I thought that was a little high as my zoas were not opening. I add some vinegar and drop it down to 8.32 and at night it would go to 8.25 much better I feel. But the vinegar wore off and now it is 8.48 during day and 8.38 at night. Why is it so high? Alk is 9.6 cal 470 mag 1410. Is 8.44 safe? I have recalibrated 3 times and get same reading. If this is high how can I lower perminently?

By adding vinegar (carbon) w/out chart, u will end up w/Cynobacteria
Try dif. PH test.

 

[mu8st7ang]

Oh I did not know vinegar will cause cyno?

 

[Nottick]

Yes. Its a form of carbon dosing. Do some research on it before you start adding.