Soda Ash to raise PH?

[ryecoon]

Do any of you use Soda Ash to raise PH? If so, can you pls elaborate on that. Thanks

What are your techniques to raising PH and keeping it consistent?
Just a little history of my tank.
-I run 3 part doser. Mag, Cal, Alk.
-Kalk Reactor
-Fuge light on 24/7

My PH fluctuates from 7.9 - 8.1. I want it at 8.2 - 8.4 and keep it there. My other parameters are fine except PH. I know some ppl say it doesnt matter but id feel a sense of security if it was on point. lol

 

[TwistedTiger]

7.9-8.1 is just fine if all your other parameters are fine. Your reef has found it's balance at a very acceptable range. Adding more chemicals in an attempt to chase some magic number is just asking for trouble.

 

[Zero Nitrates]

7.9-8.1 is just fine if all your other parameters are fine. Your reef has found it's balance at a very acceptable range. Adding more chemicals in an attempt to chase some magic number is just asking for trouble.

+1
you are fine

 

[redfishbluefish]

By adding soda ash (solely for pH), you will be raising alkalinity. As others have said, there is no need, and chemicals should never be used to adjust pH.


Your pH fluctuation is from CO2. Try stabalizing by running tubing from the air pick-up of your skimmer to outside, so it is sucking in fresh air. If you are not running. You are already running your refugium light opposite DT (actually 24/7). I would not consider CO2 absorbant.....too expensive...and really not necessary for you slightly lower pH.

 

[NanaReefer]

There is nothing wrong with your PH. Leave it alone! Find something else & more important to chase. Go rent a good movie

 

[-Logzor]

What are you currently using for alkalinity? Alkalinity supplements are basically either sodium carbonate (soda ash) or sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). If you're currently using baking soda, you could switch to soda ash and get a tiny boost in your pH. Soda ash has less carbon dioxide in it.

Alternatively, just add kalkwasser to your top-off water to increase overall pH. You'll still have a pH swing though.

 

[TwistedTiger]

What are you currently using for alkalinity?
Alternatively, just add kalkwasser to your top-off water to increase overall pH. You'll still have a pH swing though.

His original post states that he is using a kalk reactor. If his alk/kalk isn't already at the top of the acceptable range he could make sure his reactor output is fully saturated with kalk or add a fan to evaproate more. However if his alk/kalk is on the upper end of the acceptable range he would be insane to change anything.

 

[ryecoon]

Thank you all. I will focus more on stabalizing my Alk. That is my biggest challenge. Im leaving my dosing amount the way it is. I will do a daily test for 2 weeks and check the stability of my alk by leaving the dosing amount the way it is. I guess chasing numbers can can actually put you in a worse situation. lol

 

[ryecoon]

-Kalk Reactor
-B-Ionic 3 part (Cal, Alk, Mag)

 

[ryecoon]

His original post states that he is using a kalk reactor. If his alk/kalk isn't already at the top of the acceptable range he could make sure his reactor output is fully saturated with kalk or add a fan to evaproate more. However if his alk/kalk is on the upper end of the acceptable range he would be insane to change anything.

I have the fan running 24/7

 

[Jon Warner]

So nice to see all these thoughtful responses.

As has been said before... dissolved organic acids and CO2 that's it, that's the problem.

 

[20 gallon nano]

What's your alkalinity at?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

What's your alkalinity at?

Your asking someone from a 2.5 year old thread. lol

 

[20 gallon nano]

Yea I know, I was just wondering what people keep there alkalinity at with a ph of 8.2.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Yea I know, I was just wondering what people keep there alkalinity at with a ph of 8.2.

The pH is determined mathematically by CO2 and alkalinity. If you have high CO2 in the water (which is often from high CO2 in the air), then if alkalinity is normal, the only way to boost pH is some means of lowering CO2. The ways to lower CO2 include fresher air in your home, a CO2 scrubber on a skimmer inlet, or using alk additives that consume CO2. Most notable among those is limewater, and second best (with half as much effect as limewater per unit of alk added) is baked baking soda (sodium carbonate. here's how they work:

Limewater:

OH- + 2CO2 --> HCO3- (bicarbonate)

sodium carbonate:

CO3-- + CO2 --> 2 HCO3-

 

[Daniel Stevens]

baking soda = sodium bicarbonate ( which you can bake on a cookie sheet for 2 hrs 300F and it will turn to Sodium carbonate)

soda ash = sodium carbonate

 

[ClownSchool]

Just to be clear - if my pH is low - are you saying running my refugium light 24/7 will raise it slightly?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Just to be clear - if my pH is low - are you saying running my refugium light 24/7 will raise it slightly?

compared to what? A refugium raises pH when lit, but having it on a 12/12 reverse light cycle to the main tank might bring up the nightly pH low more than 24/7 lighting.

 

[enlighten]

The pH is determined mathematically by CO2 and alkalinity. If you have high CO2 in the water (which is often from high CO2 in the air), then if alkalinity is normal, the only way to boost pH is some means of lowering CO2. The ways to lower CO2 include fresher air in your home, a CO2 scrubber on a skimmer inlet, or using alk additives that consume CO2. Most notable among those is limewater, and second best (with half as much effect as limewater per unit of alk added) is baked baking soda (sodium carbonate. here's how they work:

Limewater:

OH- + 2CO2 --> HCO3- (bicarbonate)

sodium carbonate:

CO3-- + CO2 --> 2 HCO3-

Hey Randy,

its been 8 years, is this advice still valid in modern reefing? I have an issue with excess CO2 and want to solve chemically. I am thinking of dosing soda ash solution with a peristaltic pump that can be turned on and off based on the pH readings from my apex classic.

Seeing that tip above to bake baking soda is awesome, very cheap and accessible way to access a better form.

Thank you for your help lately!

 

[thedon986]

Hey Randy,

its been 8 years, is this advice still valid in modern reefing? I have an issue with excess CO2 and want to solve chemically. I am thinking of dosing soda ash solution with a peristaltic pump that can be turned on and off based on the pH readings from my apex classic.

Seeing that tip above to bake baking soda is awesome, very cheap and accessible way to access a better form.

Thank you for your help lately!

This goes even farther for bumping up ph by using sodium hydroxide. The increase is huge.

Second New DIY Two Part Recipe with Higher pH Boost

In a previous thread, I posted a true two part DIY recipe: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/new-diy-two-part-recipes-with-higher-ph-boost.344500/ But some folks may want to just swap the new ingredient into my 2/3 part recipe (as used by BRS, for example). Here's the original recipe link...

www.reef2reef.com