Can't lower ph past 6.9 despite CO2 injection.

fish878 · 11-03-2009, 08:04 AM

I can't get my ph below 6.9. I have an automated co2 system and a water kh of 3. When I first got my co2 system I could lower the ph in a matter of minutes. Now I can't get it below 6.9 despite having my regulator and bubbles per second cranked to the max. I've also tried replacing the tubing running from the reactor to the regulator. Any suggestions?

OverThinker · 11-03-2009, 08:14 AM

Couldn't you add some peat?

airborne_r6 · 11-03-2009, 08:26 AM

Why are you trying to lower the pH? Are you trying to get the CO2 concentration up?

j-gens · 11-03-2009, 02:25 PM

have you checked your water stats lately?

Left C · 11-03-2009, 05:45 PM

Something is rotten in Denmark.

- Have you calibrated your probe lately?

- Is the probe bad? They only last about a year (give or take).

- Is there a leak somewhere?

Church · 11-03-2009, 06:05 PM

...Or do you have something in the tank that is buffering the pH? Limestone, crushed coral, etc.?

calfish64 · 11-03-2009, 07:32 PM

This may sound silly but one time I had leak on the bubble counter so the PH never got lower even when I cranked up co2 all the way.

You can try to put tank water and probe in a cup and bubble co2 into it. The ph reading should go down quickly. From there you should be able to isolate the problem.

**smoq** · 11-04-2009, 03:28 AM

I still wonder why you want to lower ph even further. I think ph6.9 is optimum for planted tanks

justin182 · 11-04-2009, 06:59 AM

like smoq said, why would you lower the pH any further? is it for your fish?

fish878 · 11-04-2009, 08:32 PM

Okay, it looks like a bad probe. I've only had it for about 3 months so I didn't want to think that was the issue. I was trying to get a ph of around 6.7 because I have some unusually soft tap water in my tank. Thanks everyone.

11-03-2009, 08:04 AM	#1 (permalink)
fish878 Newbie (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Springfield MO Posts: 3	Can't lower ph past 6.9 despite CO2 injection. I can't get my ph below 6.9. I have an automated co2 system and a water kh of 3. When I first got my co2 system I could lower the ph in a matter of minutes. Now I can't get it below 6.9 despite having my regulator and bubbles per second cranked to the max. I've also tried replacing the tubing running from the reactor to the regulator. Any suggestions?

11-03-2009, 08:26 AM	#3 (permalink)
airborne_r6 Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (9/100%) Join Date: May 2008 Location: Springville, UT Posts: 483	Why are you trying to lower the pH? Are you trying to get the CO2 concentration up? __________________ [/off-rant]

11-03-2009, 02:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
j-gens Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: bowling green, ohio Posts: 167	have you checked your water stats lately? __________________ VICTOR PIMP #44 - Hpt270-40-320-DK / HPT270D-580 / L-tec 9004 trimline tm patented r-77-75 590gp??

11-03-2009, 05:45 PM	#5 (permalink)
Left C Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (18/100%) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Burlington, NC Posts: 4,847	Something is rotten in Denmark. - Have you calibrated your probe lately? - Is the probe bad? They only last about a year (give or take). - Is there a leak somewhere? __________________ EHEIM PIMP #164 Classic 2011, Classic 2213, Classic 2217, ECCO 2236, Pro II 2028, Liberty 2040, Liberty 2042 VICTOR PIMP #1 VTS253A-1993, VTS250B-580, VTS253D-320, HPT500-40-350-4M, SGT500-40-4F-DK

11-03-2009, 06:05 PM	#6 (permalink)
Church Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (9/100%) Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 2,527	...Or do you have something in the tank that is buffering the pH? Limestone, crushed coral, etc.? __________________

11-03-2009, 08:14 AM	#2 (permalink)
OverThinker Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bend, OR Posts: 17	Couldn't you add some peat?

11-03-2009, 07:32 PM	#7 (permalink)
calfish64 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (14/100%) Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 10	This may sound silly but one time I had leak on the bubble counter so the PH never got lower even when I cranked up co2 all the way. You can try to put tank water and probe in a cup and bubble co2 into it. The ph reading should go down quickly. From there you should be able to isolate the problem.

11-04-2009, 03:28 AM	#8 (permalink)
smoq local fisherman (View User Tanks) PTrader: (23/100%) Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 956	I still wonder why you want to lower ph even further. I think ph6.9 is optimum for planted tanks __________________ 75g tank journal&album DIY 75g stand manual&Journal EHFIPIMP #325 Eheim classic 2213&2217 and proffesional II 2028. Now I am true pimp VICTOR and DUAL STAGE REGULATOR PIMP CLUB MEMBER #46

11-04-2009, 06:59 AM	#9 (permalink)
justin182 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (7/100%) Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 132	like smoq said, why would you lower the pH any further? is it for your fish? __________________ 10g F-ever

11-04-2009, 08:32 PM	#10 (permalink)
fish878 Newbie (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Springfield MO Posts: 3	Okay, it looks like a bad probe. I've only had it for about 3 months so I didn't want to think that was the issue. I was trying to get a ph of around 6.7 because I have some unusually soft tap water in my tank. Thanks everyone.

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