Another pH question

[bobz]

I should have figured this out by now but I am still baffled when it comes to pH. I try to maintain my tanks between 8.0 and 8.2, sometimes it drops to 7.95ish but since I only keep fish and softies I'm not real worried so long as it stays fairly constant. I tried the reverse light cycle on my refugium and to be honest I didn't much difference in the pH swings with or without the reverse light cycle (both vary about the same). Anyway, what baffles me is my RO/DI top off and salt mixes. I keep a 55G of RO/DI full with a small powerhead circulating and I mix Reef Crystals in another 45G Brute to use for water changes. I mix the salt and keep it circualting with a Quiet one pump. I add enough pH Buffer (Seachem Marine Buffer) to raise the pH to 8.2-8.3 (checked with my RKE and a seperate pinpoint). After about 48 hours if I test the pH again it drops significantly down 7.8 or 7.9, I don't understand why?? Usually without the pH buffer the salt mixes at about 8.1 or less. I used to add reef Builder to the mixing container as well but haven't done that in a while. There is nothing in the mixing container and I clean it out every couple of weeks. I can't figure out what is going on. Any ideas?
signed,
Dazed and Confused in Marietta :confused2:

 

[skriz]

This questions will be answered in great detail at the next ARC meeting...

 

[ralph atl]

you need to measure your ALK and then dose as needed (just get a 2 part like B-ionic). This is what prevents PH from falling.

here:

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.php">http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.php</a>

[IMG]http://web.archive.org/web/20021127040526/http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm">http://web.archive.org/web/20021127040526/http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm</a>

 

[bobz]

I should have mentioned that I dose two part solution in all my tanks and that keeps my pH stable in the show tanks and the frag tanks. I may not have been clear about this... I am talking about the pH of the water in my mixing container that I use for water changes. It seems to "drop" in pH after I buffer it if I leave it for 48hours circulating in the mixing brute. I suppose I can start dosing the two part in my mixing container as well, it just seems strange that the pH would not maintain at atleast 8.1 after mixing in the reef crystals and just circulating in a container.

 

[fish scales2]

This may sound like an odd question but does your container have a lid on it?

 

[bobz]

Yep.. i keep it covered. Problemo??