Alk / ph

[snowmansnow]

Ok how does ph relate to Alk? Are they proportionate in any way?

 

[ripped tide]

Yes.

pH is a representation of the ratio between acids to basics.... ok i can't type all this stuff out. If you are interested in hearing me ramble for a minute or two, send me a pm and i will give you my number.

 

[schwaggs]

 

[snowmansnow]

So can I effectively monitor alk via ph?

 

[ripped tide]

SnowManSnow;789797 wrote: So can I effectively monitor alk via ph?

kinda, but not really. The alk acts as a buffer against acids. The only way it would be an indication would be HUGE ph swings. But that would only matter if there was an excess of acid present. even then, if the skimmer is effectively removnig acids, you may not see anything

 

[snowmansnow]

Ya... I was afraid of that... Kinda. MAN! Why don't they make an alk probe????

 

[snowmansnow]

Ok.. So I COULD use a oh meter, but I would need to use a standard acid to measure how much it takes to drop the ph to a determined level to figure alk. Geez... Not for me.

I'll just bet that incorrect and swings in alk are to blame for a LOT of aquarium issues, particularly among those who don't have a simple way to monitor it.

 

[ichthyoid]

You can monitor alkalinity as it relates to pH, BUT...only if the water is in equilibrium with the surrounding air.

CO2 in particular, is what can throw this off. The solution is to provide an efficient exchange of gases with the tank water. A high efficiency (dare I say overrated?) protein skimmer, combined with high tank flow will do a nice job of this.

If your home is airtight, the CO2 can have some effect.

Read Schwags article above. Farley is a reference author on this subject. He just happens to be a PhD chemist, too.

 

[snowmansnow]

Plan on reading it tonight... I can imagine that it's nice light reading haha

 

[ichthyoid]

Alkalinity is kind of a stabilizing factor for chemical reactions going on in the sea.

During nitrification, you may see this effect by measuring ORP too (ORP goes up, alkalinity drops).

Alkalinity affects a lot of interdependent things. If it constantly changes, its like the timing on your car engine being messed up. The tank runs rough and performs poorly.

 

[grouper therapy]

ichthyoid;789824 wrote: Alkalinity is kind of a stabilizing factor for chemical reactions going on in the sea.

During nitrification, you may see this effect by measuring ORP too (ORP goes up, alkalinity drops).

Alkalinity affects a lot of interdependent things. If it constantly changes, its like the timing on your car engine being messed up. The tank runs rough and performs poorly.

Very true Once I regulated and stabilized my Alk. the tank really did well