Raising pH without changing dKh???

What is the best way to raise pH without changing the dKh?

Typically, when the pH of my tank drops - the dKh does too. I solve both by using Reef Buffer from Seachem.

Trouble is... I've recently added a sulfur denitrator (which works awesome, by the way) and the denitrator effluent has a pH of 7.3. For some reason, it is lowering the tanks overall pH but not effecting the dkH.

I've added more buffer - and it does raise the pH - but it also raises the dkH. I don't want to add anymore buffer because the dKh has gotten too high (currently 16).

Advise? Anyone?

Thanks!

Z

 

Introduce fresh air to the tank. Either by opening a window(maybe not a good idea for you) or place an air pump outside and run the tubes into the tank with air stones. What was your ph before using the sulfur denitrator ? Luna

 

Are you using a calcium reactor chamber to pass the effluent through? If not that is likely your prob.

Check out this rather heady chemical explanation:

Chemistry and the Aquarium

Also there are some old threads on 3reef that go into this process in detail.

 

You might be able to raise just your pH by adding borate.
How many gallons, and how much do you want to raise it?

 

Thanks for the responses.

pH before installing the sulfur denitrator was a very, very stable 8.1 - for months.

The denitrator itself contains both sulfur and aragonite (commercial mix from Carib-sea called NO-NO3). Additionally, it is a re-circulation reactor:

1. Small amount of tank water is pumped into the reactor
2. Water in the reactor continously recirculates from bottom to top through the media and is then pumped back to the bottom of the unit to repeat the process. This maximizes exposure (contact time) with the media and increases the de-nitrification and acid-netralization efficiency dramatically.
3. Small amount of water exits the reator (effluent).

Despite the recirculation - the effluent still has a slightly lower pH. I have two ideas:

1) Based on Luna's response - I am thinking of dripping the effluent into a 'pre-chamber' and adding an air stone to that chamber.

3) What about adding Kalk to my top off water?


Z

 

This is a good question... 65g is the easy part.
How much do I want to raise the pH is the tricky part as it depends on how much it has dropped from one day to the next. My goal is to maintain a consistent pH of 8.2.

Does this help?

Z

 

boron will also raise dKH, but if you want it:

"Bulk Reef Supplies- High Purity Borate / A.K.A. Boron dKH Supplement"

or you can use this

http://www.gettankedaquariums.com/index_file/pH-UP.dKH.File/Bulk.pH-UP.dKH.Main.Page..htm

its hard to raise just your pH without the dKH being effected
O2 will raise pH, and so will K and other trace elements
playing with the Ca,Mg while adjusting the dKH/pH is the trick

 

K+ to Luna for a great idea.

I threw together an 'effluent aeration chamber' with an air-stone/air-pump and dripped the effluent into that before returning it to the sump.

The effects were positive and immediate.
pH of effluent directly from the denitrator = 7.3
pH of aerated effluent = 8

Thanks to all who responded!


Z

 

I am wondering why the aragonite in the mixture did not buffer the way it should have. Anybody have any ideas? I thought the other benefit of the sulfur denitrator was its buffering capacity (provided that a calcium reactor is subsequent).

It is sweet though when someone gives you such a quick easy fix (e.g. Luna).

 

on my tank the effluent goes into the skimmer using air from the outside with a pump. the skimmer is its own aeration chamber.