Triton Core7 and High PH

kiMxD · 12/04/2018, 10:31 AM

I run triton method for about 5 months now and I have two tanks, 160 and 180.
The first tank I ran triton was on the 160, to which I realize it raised my ph to about 8.6. I stopped triton method and it came back to 8.0-8.2. Then I set up the 180 and started triton (sps only) about a week ago. My ph used to be 8.1-8.2 before triton, and now, as the picture shows, it is around 8.6 as well.

I wonder if I should be worried? Have any of you had similar experiences?

In case I should worry, how to address that?

Thank you!

Uncle99 · 12/04/2018, 10:46 AM

I would verify the accuracy of that 8.6 number before considering anything else.
Get a second opinion for that real high PH number.
Your average looks good to me. Imagine if the probe was just off a bit.

I do this for any test which comes back outside what my expectations are.
I use another test manufacture and my LFS and then average between all three.
Has the probe been calibrated?

mcgyvr · 12/04/2018, 11:00 AM

Whats your alkalinity?

kiMxD · 12/04/2018, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Whats your alkalinity?

It has been constant for the last 4 days at 7.7dkH.

Please see image.

kiMxD · 12/04/2018, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle99

I would verify the accuracy of that 8.6 number before considering anything else.
Get a second opinion for that real high PH number.
Your average looks good to me. Imagine if the probe was just off a bit.

I do this for any test which comes back outside what my expectations are.
I use another test manufacture and my LFS and then average between all three.
Has the probe been calibrated?

Yes, the probe has been calibrated, not over a month ago.

The funny thing is that I saw the same exact thing happening with two Apexe's (Apex 2016 on 160g and Apex Classic on 180). That leads me to believe in the probe.

You know how the PH test kits go, it's hard to tell anything over 8.0ph with the nuances of purple/gray/dark blue on them.

Uncle99 · 12/04/2018, 06:10 PM

I would have expected high ALK to coincide with the real high PH and maybe the probe out a bit, but your ALK is on the lower edge of the range.

For PH, I just use the cheap API kit, pink is too low ( for me), purple is perfect which averaged out at 8.2 ish with an AlK at 10 DKH, otherwise Alk at 7.5dkh had a PH of 7.8

I note the increase in new Monti growth most with the higher PH and Alk, and consumption increased 30% for Alk and CA

bertoni · 12/05/2018, 08:44 PM

I agree that the pH level is a bit suspicious. If it's accurate, then more aeration should help. Photosynthesis can consume carbon dioxide out of the water, raising the pH.

kiMxD · 12/06/2018, 09:48 AM

Guys I appreciate your help so much. I re-calibrated the probe and is measuring now 8.0-8.1 -.-

Apex drives me nuts!

bertoni · 12/06/2018, 10:36 PM

That's common for pH probes. They all drift. Commercial labs generally calibrate daily, or so I'm told.

Uncle99 · 12/07/2018, 09:39 AM

That's better.
I have seen reports like this a lot unfortunately on the probes, regardless of manufacture.
I have had more consistent results without the probes.

manateemark · 12/07/2018, 05:59 PM

Yes, that's not surprising that the probes drift in their value. I've heard it recommended that probes be calibrated every month, just like dosing units. I have also been told that Ph probes should be replaced when they are between 12-18 months old, depending on the style (single or double junction), as well as different manufacturers may have different suggestions.

12/04/2018, 10:31 AM	#1
kiMxD Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 149	Triton Core7 and High PH I run triton method for about 5 months now and I have two tanks, 160 and 180. The first tank I ran triton was on the 160, to which I realize it raised my ph to about 8.6. I stopped triton method and it came back to 8.0-8.2. Then I set up the 180 and started triton (sps only) about a week ago. My ph used to be 8.1-8.2 before triton, and now, as the picture shows, it is around 8.6 as well. I wonder if I should be worried? Have any of you had similar experiences? In case I should worry, how to address that? Thank you!

12/04/2018, 11:00 AM	#3
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Whats your alkalinity? __________________ Who me?

12/05/2018, 08:44 PM	#7
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I agree that the pH level is a bit suspicious. If it's accurate, then more aeration should help. Photosynthesis can consume carbon dioxide out of the water, raising the pH. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

12/06/2018, 10:36 PM	#9
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	That's common for pH probes. They all drift. Commercial labs generally calibrate daily, or so I'm told. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

12/04/2018, 10:46 AM	#2
Uncle99 Crab Free Zone Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,906	I would verify the accuracy of that 8.6 number before considering anything else. Get a second opinion for that real high PH number. Your average looks good to me. Imagine if the probe was just off a bit. I do this for any test which comes back outside what my expectations are. I use another test manufacture and my LFS and then average between all three. Has the probe been calibrated?

12/04/2018, 06:10 PM	#6
Uncle99 Crab Free Zone Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,906	I would have expected high ALK to coincide with the real high PH and maybe the probe out a bit, but your ALK is on the lower edge of the range. For PH, I just use the cheap API kit, pink is too low ( for me), purple is perfect which averaged out at 8.2 ish with an AlK at 10 DKH, otherwise Alk at 7.5dkh had a PH of 7.8 I note the increase in new Monti growth most with the higher PH and Alk, and consumption increased 30% for Alk and CA

12/06/2018, 09:48 AM	#8
kiMxD Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 149	Guys I appreciate your help so much. I re-calibrated the probe and is measuring now 8.0-8.1 -.- Apex drives me nuts!

12/07/2018, 09:39 AM	#10
Uncle99 Crab Free Zone Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,906	That's better. I have seen reports like this a lot unfortunately on the probes, regardless of manufacture. I have had more consistent results without the probes.

12/07/2018, 05:59 PM	#11
manateemark Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 52	Yes, that's not surprising that the probes drift in their value. I've heard it recommended that probes be calibrated every month, just like dosing units. I have also been told that Ph probes should be replaced when they are between 12-18 months old, depending on the style (single or double junction), as well as different manufacturers may have different suggestions.