Alk Dosing (1 Viewer)

[ruiz0052]

Well one of the most common contribution to low pH but high alkalinity is the amount of CO2 in your system which will indirectly contribute to the release of hydrogen lowering the pH but yet increasing your alkalinity present as It turns into bicarbonate upon it’s reaction with water.

Fastest way to address this, is one, make sure system is airing out, and two just do your standard water changes. I would recommend you take the steps to appropriately raise the pH by using soda ash (the conjugate base of the alkaline buffer system) and once your pH is at appropriate levels, then add alkalinity and adjust to proper levels.

These steps will ensure you alkaline buffer has a longer life, and granted while you will see it slowly diminish as you do future water changes, top offs, as well as dose, it will be gradual and not be as rapid.

Hope that makes sense and helps

So my pH is constantly low right now at like 7.8 - 7.9. My alk is around 9. How do I find out what the real problem is from here?

 

[David Grigor]

Is 7.8 - 7.9 your morning low readings. Or is that your max at the end of the day reading ? For 99% of the people out there, it is going to be because of elevated CO2 levels in your home during wintertime. Fresh air is the answer but for most it's not an easy solution this time of year without spending hundreds to thousands on a heat recovery fresh air system. 7.8-7.9 is not very low if this is a morning reading, I wouldn't worry about it. Spreading your Alk ( assuming your using soda ash or baked baking soda ) dosage evenly through out the night cycle can reduce the swing but like ruiz says its only temporary so you have to have it automated for it to work.