PH Levels

[Ocean Images]

Lately I have had trouble with high PH readings (morning readings of 8.20 and late day readings of 8.6) How can I get these numbers back where they belong??
125 gallon tank
Temp 78
My alkalinity is 8.5
Salinity is 1.021
Calcium level is a little low at 375
I use Tech A/B (two capfulls per day)
I have cut back on the Tech A/B hoping my PH would come back down.
Will adding "Pro-Buffer" help these numbers?
I have already tried a 30 gallon water change but no PH change at all :confused:

[afss]

As i always start these threads.. are you sure that the test kit/probe you have is good or in good working order?

Scott

[Ocean Images]

I use a Pin-point PH probe, the probe itself was replaced a little over a year ago, I will calibrate it again and see if my readings are the same.....or I will get out the good old test kit and see what a second opinion shows.
:cheers:

[afss]

cool.. hopefully thats your problem, something like a simple recalibration etc.

when was the last time you calibrated the probe? how ofter do you have to re calibrate? I am asking as i have often thought about getting a probe, but have heard that they can be a PITA at times.

Scott

[Ocean Images]

I calibrate the monitor every time I buy a replacement probe ($70) which I can usually get approx 1 to 2 years from......maybe its time again :mad:

[afss]

I was under the impression that you are supposed to clean and calibrate the monitor something like every month?
Is this not the way it is done?
Scott:help:

[Ocean Images]

I hope its not once a month or I am about 9 cleanings behind, I didn't get instructions with mine, I bought it second hand........
I know that the Salinity monitor needs cleaning every month, hummmm that could be the answer to my PH dilemma.
I know what I will be doing when I get home today!!

[Andy]

I clean my pH probe about once a month with a soft bristle toothbrush then recalibrate using certified reference pH standards. You can get a drift of o.1 to 0.3 pH units over the course of a month. HTH

Andy

[Flatlander]

I calibrate every couple months. Its usually has drifted by then. As you have found, mine drifts in the upwards direction also.

[Ocean Images]

Doug, I am hoping this is the answer to my problems, I don't want to become the mad scientist and start dumping stuff into my system. I will let everyone know what my readings are after the probe cleansing :D

[Kenzy]

Just to add here, I've noticed that when my 9v battery gets low my probe tends to start to read high. You might want to check the battery as well. (That's if you're using one).
I also try to clean and recalibrate it every 6-8 weeks.

[Mitchell]

same here on the cleaning, also a simple solution to the battery's is to buy an adapter. I paid around $12.00 for mine.

[Mugster]

I've also encountered the same problem with mine when the battery is close to being low. I also clean mine about once a month and recalibrate every 2-3 months. I'm switching over to an adapter as I've had bad luck with batteries lately. Damn digital camera....:roflmao:

HTH,
Kev

[Ocean Images]

Here is the update to the high PH problem, I have now cleaned the PH probe (better late than never) I woke up this morning to a reading of 8.44. I currently use the 12v adapter so I can eliminate the power drop.
Today I will order a new probe and (7 / 10 solution) from MOPS and will have it for Thursday, I will post the readings from the new probe on Friday morning.
Thanks for all the advice!

[Ocean Images]

Well that was easy, Dan Cole has never let me down :D
$88 for the probe and 7/10 solution, I think maybe I will add the monthly cleaning of this probe to my maintenance schedule.

:cheers:

[Mitchell]

Glad it worked out for you

[afss]

never trust the result unless you trust the source:> glad it was something simple..
:cheers:

[Ocean Images]

:dance: Well that was the answer, a new probe for the Pin-Point PH monitor. A simple calibration last night and this morning I am getting a reading of 8.11
I bought a coulpe extra calibration solutions for thge future ;)

[Mitchell]

Usually when I run out of fluid I pick up about 10 of each off of Dan, when Im up there.

I think I need a new probe though as mine has been sitting dry since the tear down. I have heard that they shouldn't be stored that way.

[Mugster]

Coramorphian, you are correct about not storing the probe dry. It states in the instruction manual not to do that. When I purchased mine the probe came with a cap on the end of the probe which contained fluid to keep the tip wet.

HTH

Kev

[Dman]

If I'm not mistaken, your pH will drift higher through the course of the day and drop overnight. I don't remember the exact science involved, but I think it had something to do with the plant based micro organisms releasing oxygen through the day when your lights are on and then consuming them at night when the lights are off
Dman
:spin:

[stephane]

Originally posted by Dman
If I'm not mistaken, your pH will drift higher through the course of the day and drop overnight. I don't remember the exact science involved, but I think it had something to do with the plant based micro organisms releasing oxygen through the day when your lights are on and then consuming them at night when the lights are off
Dman
:spin:

Hi Dman

Its the CO2 that plant cell expell at night who get the PH to drop at night

and on the ligntning period plant cell feed on CO2 so the ph climb