Okay so I had a long chat with CB at Neptune regarding the low PH issue and despite the independent results using liquid test kits which show PH consistently at 8.0 he feels that the Probe reading at 7.6 ish is accurate. In his explanation he said that liquid test kits have a tendency to read lower than PH probes and are therefore not accurate as accurate.
I tried to understand the logic behind this and went with it. As a precaution Neptune is swapping out the probe but Cb expects that the replacement will read the same. I wish to thank Neptune and CB personally for the time, patience and professionalism in handling this matter.
If this is accurate and I strongly believe it very well may be, I am not at all comfortable with my PH hovering between 7.5 and 7.6
I have since mixed a one gallon container with two measured teaspoons of Kalkwasser and it tested with the probe at exactly 12.4 after it settled. This I did to test the probe in water with an expected known value.
Another issue that I'm wondering about is the effect of Seachems Acid Buffer to lower ALK in my make up water In following another thread where it was recommended as a way to lower Alkalinity in freshly made water. I add roughly one teaspoon to 30 gallons when I use it and aerate heavily for 24-48 hours before the water change. When I check the PH with Salifert it checks at 8.0 to 8.1 Could the chemical composition of the Acid Buffer in the makeup water be affecting the tank and lowering or not allowing the PH to rise longterm ?
I tried to understand the logic behind this and went with it. As a precaution Neptune is swapping out the probe but Cb expects that the replacement will read the same. I wish to thank Neptune and CB personally for the time, patience and professionalism in handling this matter.
If this is accurate and I strongly believe it very well may be, I am not at all comfortable with my PH hovering between 7.5 and 7.6
I have since mixed a one gallon container with two measured teaspoons of Kalkwasser and it tested with the probe at exactly 12.4 after it settled. This I did to test the probe in water with an expected known value.
Another issue that I'm wondering about is the effect of Seachems Acid Buffer to lower ALK in my make up water In following another thread where it was recommended as a way to lower Alkalinity in freshly made water. I add roughly one teaspoon to 30 gallons when I use it and aerate heavily for 24-48 hours before the water change. When I check the PH with Salifert it checks at 8.0 to 8.1 Could the chemical composition of the Acid Buffer in the makeup water be affecting the tank and lowering or not allowing the PH to rise longterm ?