Instant ocean causing ph to go up

[Ironwood]

I'm new to reefing and have set up a 20 gallon QT tank and a 72 gallon bow front tank. My tap water has a ph level of 7.6. When I add instant ocean to my water it goes up to 8.8. Has only one seen this before? I'm not sure what I should do. Both tanks look the same.

[rwb500]

yes, salt mix does that. it's probably not actually all the way up at 8.8. I suspect test kit error.

[Ironwood]

Originally Posted by rwb500

yes, salt mix does that. it's probably not actually all the way up at 8.8. I suspect test kit error.

So do I need to use a buffer to lower it? I have tested both tanks a couple of times and it looks like 8.8 to me. I did a partial water change and it went down to 7.6 but after I brought the salinity up to 1.025 it went back up to 8.8.

[outssider]

salt mixes are designed to be mixed with ro/di water/distilled. If you mix it this way, your alkalinity, ph, magnesium and calcium will be good. If you use tap water, your readings could be very high..... especially alkalinity. My tap water has an alkalinity of 5 dkh. if I used tap water I would end up with an alkalinity of around 17 in my water change water. ro/di water has an alkalinity of 0, so when you add to that 12 dkh you have water with 12dkh (this is what the salt mix has by itself).

[bertoni]

Aerating the saltwater will bring the pH down to normal. If you're doing small changes, even water at 8.8 is fine, although the pH will be lower after 2-3 hours.

[Ironwood]

Originally Posted by outssider

salt mixes are designed to be mixed with ro/di water/distilled. If you mix it this way, your alkalinity, ph, magnesium and calcium will be good. If you use tap water, your readings could be very high..... especially alkalinity. My tap water has an alkalinity of 5 dkh. if I used tap water I would end up with an alkalinity of around 17 in my water change water. ro/di water has an alkalinity of 0, so when you add to that 12 dkh you have water with 12dkh (this is what the salt mix has by itself).

I am using RO/DI water. My alk is high also around 17. Is it possible that my RO/DI unit isn't working correctly. The membrane and filters are all new.

[Ironwood]

Originally Posted by bertoni

Aerating the saltwater will bring the pH down to normal. If you're doing small changes, even water at 8.8 is fine, although the pH will be lower after 2-3 hours.

What do you mean by small changes? Small water changes? 8.8 seem very high I don't think that I would put a fish in water with ph that high. Thanks

[rwb500]

don't worry about pH. Worry about alkalinity and the pH problems will solve themselves. 17 dkH is way too high.

[Ironwood]

Originally Posted by rwb500

don't worry about pH. Worry about alkalinity and the pH problems will solve themselves. 17 dkH is way too high.

How would you lower the KH? Thanks

[bertoni]

In most tanks, the dKH will drop on its own. I'd get a second opinion on the test kit, but the more common stealth sources of alkalinity are pH buffers (which all must add alkalinity) and tap water. Your RO filter might have failed, but I doubt it. You could use the alkalinity kit on the output to see what's happening.

[Ironwood]

Originally Posted by bertoni

In most tanks, the dKH will drop on its own. I'd get a second opinion on the test kit, but the more common stealth sources of alkalinity are pH buffers (which all must add alkalinity) and tap water. Your RO filter might have failed, but I doubt it. You could use the alkalinity kit on the output to see what's happening.

I'll check it out thanks for the help.

[outssider]

Originally Posted by Ironwood

I am using RO/DI water. My alk is high also around 17. Is it possible that my RO/DI unit isn't working correctly. The membrane and filters are all new.

test the alkalinity of your ro/di water, it should be ...0....

If it's more, that is where your excess alkalinity is coming from. If it's 0 and you're getting 17dkh in your make-up water then either the test kit is off or you have an odd/bad batch of salt mix.

[Ironwood]

Originally Posted by outssider

test the alkalinity of your ro/di water, it should be ...0....

If it's more, that is where your excess alkalinity is coming from. If it's 0 and you're getting 17dkh in your make-up water then either the test kit is off or you have an odd/bad batch of salt mix.

I tested the water directly out of the RO/ DI filter and KH <1 PO3,4 = .25, my DT has a ph of 8.3 now and kH is 18 drops. I doubt it's the test kit because it seems to measure it correctly out of the rode unit. My QT tank has the same readings. Thanks

[Ironwood]

Originally Posted by Ironwood

I tested the water directly out of the RO/ DI filter and KH <1 PO3,4 = .25, my DT has a ph of 8.3 now and kH is 18 drops. I doubt it's the test kit because it seems to measure it correctly out of the rode unit. My QT tank has the same readings. Thanks

RODI unit

[tmz]

What is the salinity?

[bertoni]

Originally Posted by Ironwood

What do you mean by small changes? Small water changes? 8.8 seem very high I don't think that I would put a fish in water with ph that high. Thanks

Sorry, I missed this question. Anything around 15% or less should be fine, even with water at pH 8.8.

[Ironwood]

Originally Posted by tmz

what is the salinity?

1.025

[tmz]

Well IO should mix to about 10 or 11 dkh not 17 at 1.025 when allowed to mix for a few hours . Perhaps you have a bad batch ,testing error or the salt you have has lost it's homogeneity through settling.

[RWH]

I have a problem with Ammonia in my salt water mix? Instant Ocean & Using RO water and TDS is 0.00.
This is my first set up and I just filled the tank this weekend..Thought it was odd for ammonia to be present right away, so I tested my premixed water. It has been circulating for over 24 hours and the ammonia level is still at 0.25? Anyone else ever have this happen?
Should I be concerned?

[bertoni]

To Reef Central

That's normal for most or all salt mixes. They tend to have some ammonia in them. The level should be safe, but you could add a bit of Prime or Amquel if you're worried.