Have you ever used driftwood to lower pH?

[Dom]

Looking for ways to get my pH down from 8.70.

I've reduced surface agitation and cut my protein skimmer to 12 hours, daily instead of running it around the clock.

I've also re-calibrated my Pinpoint probe, so I am sure it is accurate.

I've read in multiple locations that driftwood would be beneficial to reducing pH, but I worry about the effects it will have on corals in the tank.

I have a 2-Part setup which is currently off line. I've been using baking soda (not cooked) to get Alkalinity up.

I could use some guidance, please.

Thank you,
Dom

Here are my parameters:

Date​	Time​	CO2​	Temp​	Salinity​	pH​	Alkalinity​	Calcium​	Magnesium​	Nitrate​	Phosphate​	Notes​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
11/22/24​	01:00 PM​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	Water Change​
11/23/24​	02:00 PM​	​	23.80​	35.00​	8.48​	9.80​	470.00​	​	​	​	​
11/27/24​	02:00 PM​	​	23.80​	35.00​	8.53​	9.80​	490.00​	​	​	​	​
12/03/24​	12:30 PM​	​	23.80​	35.00​	​	9.20​	500.00​	​	27.20​	0.48​	​
12/06/24​	11:30 AM​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	0.45​	​
12/09/24​	01:30 PM​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	0.85​	​
12/10/24​	05:00 PM​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	Begin PhosGuard​
12/13/24​	11:30 AM​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	0.31​	​
12/17/24​	01:50 PM​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	0.36​	​
12/20/24​	01:00 PM​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	0.25​	​
12/27/24​	12:25 PM​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	0.49​	Replace PhosGuard​
12/31/24​	02:15 PM​	637.00​	23.80​	35.00​	8.39​	6.20​	450.00​	​	​	​	.5 tbs Baking Soda​
01/01/25​	04:15 PM​	​	​	​	​	9.00​	​	​	​	​	​
01/04/25​	01:30 PM​	​	​	​	​	6.20​	450.00​	​	​	​	.5 tbs Baking Soda​
01/07/25​	11:45 AM​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	28.20​	0.33​	​
01/08/25​	05:30 PM​	405.00​	23.80​	​	8.60​	8.40​	​	​	​	​	​
01/13/25​	04:00 PM​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	Water Change​
01/19/25​	12:05 PM​	404.00​	23.70​	35.00​	8.34​	6.40​	410.00​	​	20.30​	0.19​	+ 34.5 gms Baking Soda​
01/20/25​	12:15 PM​	​	​	​	​	8.10​	​	​	​	​	​
01/22/25​	12:05 PM​	​	​	​	​	7.60​	​	​	​	​	+ 17 gms Baking Soda​
01/23/25​	02:30 PM​	405.00​	23.90​	34.00​	8.70​	8.10​	430.00​	​	​	​	+2.5 Baking Soda​
01/24/25​	12:20 PM​	​	​	​	​	8.70​	​	​	​	​	+2 Baking Soda​
01/25/25​	12:00 PM​	​	​	​	​	9.00​	​	​	​	​	+1 Baking Soda​
01/27/25​	11:50 AM​	​	​	​	​	7.60​	420.00​	​	​	​	+2 Baking Soda​
01/28/25​	12:45 PM​	​	​	​	​	7.30​	​	​	​	​	+19.7 gms Baking Soda​
01/29/25​	11:45 AM​	​	​	​	​	9.20​	​	​	​	​	​
01/30/25​	02:00 PM​	​	​	​	​	8.10​	​	​	​	​	​
01/31/25​	12:30 PM​	​	​	​	​	7.80​	​	​	​	​	+10.7 gms Baking Soda​

 

[56longroof]

Wood in a reef tank is not a good idea. If I'm remembering correct I think it can grow a toxic fungus?

 

[billyocean]

Is the high ph having detrimental effects?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I expect pH 8.7 is test error. If it somehow got that high (say, from high photosynthesis and little aeration) simple aeration can always bring it down. If it does not, the pH is inaccurate.

 

[Dom]

I expect pH 8.7 is test error. If it somehow got that high (say, from high photosynthesis and little aeration) simple aeration can always bring it down. If it does not, the pH is inaccurate.

Yes, that is why I asked (I think I posted it yesterday) if calibration fluid could be stored.

So reducing aeration isn't answer, MORE is.

 

[Dom]

Is the high ph having detrimental effects?

I have been trying to determine why all of my Anemones have shrunk 90%

 

[MrGisonni]

There has got to be a better way. The tannins will stain the water as well as lower the pH

 

[bubbgee]

If you need to lower pH asap, carbon dose (vodka, vinegar, etc) but monitor if you bottom out.

But honestly, I would rather have a pH of 8.7 with alk at 9 any time. Corals look amazing at high pH.

So i'd like to have your problem. I cant get to 8.7 without bumping alk to 15.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Yes, that is why I asked (I think I posted it yesterday) if calibration fluid could be stored.

So reducing aeration isn't answer, MORE is.

When pH is too high, yes, aeration always lowers it.

 

[Dom]

I expect pH 8.7 is test error. If it somehow got that high (say, from high photosynthesis and little aeration) simple aeration can always bring it down. If it does not, the pH is inaccurate.

You are correct. I re-calibrated again. Now getting 8.1

I need a tutorial on the proper way to calibrate.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Glad it’s resolved.

 

[Miami Reef]

You are correct. I re-calibrated again. Now getting 8.1

I need a tutorial on the proper way to calibrate.

I got you:

https://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-02/rhf/index.php#8

 

[Dom]

I got you:

https://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-02/rhf/index.php#8

I used 4 and 7. Based on the article, I should have used 7 and 10 as that is the range being monitored.