Auto doser.... SPS now dying

[paddyob]

Temp 78F
1.024

Kh 100 (normal for my tank)
Ca 400
Mg 1360 (normal for my tank)

Ph is coming up yellowish. Lower than chart.

This is my obvious issue. I understand the kh can be the culprit when dosing.


Any tips on best way to correct this? I have never before had ph below 8.0



Steve at RCE..... What product do you have in stock that works with my current chems?

[dc4]

Originally Posted by paddyob

Temp 78F
1.024

Kh 100 (normal for my tank)
Ca 400
Mg 1360 (normal for my tank)

Ph is coming up yellowish. Lower than chart.

This is my obvious issue. I understand the kh can be the culprit when dosing.


Any tips on best way to correct this? I have never before had ph below 8.0



Steve at RCE..... What product do you have in stock that works with my current chems?

You can buy some Reef Buffer to raise your ph to 8.3, I would also suggest to bring your water to be tested at your most trusted lfs as some test kits could be way off.

[gregzz4]

Originally Posted by paddyob

Temp 78F
1.024

Kh 100 (normal for my tank)
Ca 400
Mg 1360 (normal for my tank)

Ph is coming up yellowish. Lower than chart.

This is my obvious issue. I understand the kh can be the culprit when dosing.


Any tips on best way to correct this? I have never before had ph below 8.0



Steve at RCE..... What product do you have in stock that works with my current chems?

I wouldn't go messing with your pH yet

When you say KH 100, what do you mean ? 100 mg/l ? 10.0 degrees ?
If it's 100 mg/l, then I'd say Ya, your pH could be low as that comes out at 5.6 degrees
But even that shouldn't allow your pH to be scary low - maybe near 8.0, but not bottoming out

I'd get a second test opinion of your pH, or buy a pH pen/probe

And you may want to allow you and your tank a week or two to settle into the new dosing before you mess with any additional products

[paddyob]

Originally Posted by gregzz4

I wouldn't go messing with your pH yet

When you say KH 100, what do you mean ? 100 mg/l ? 10.0 degrees ?
If it's 100 mg/l, then I'd say Ya, your pH could be low as that comes out at 5.6 degrees
But even that shouldn't allow your pH to be scary low - maybe near 8.0, but not bottoming out

I'd get a second test opinion of your pH, or buy a pH pen/probe

And you may want to allow you and your tank a week or two to settle into the new dosing before you mess with any additional products

I have been using the doser for about a month.

And yes, 100 kh. A tad low but consistent in my tank.

My ph has never been this low before.

I agree messing with ph is the last step, but needs to happen soon as my SPS are not doing well.

[gregzz4]

Take this for what it is ... an attempt from a newb to help

I just re-read this thread and I don't see mentioned what you are dosing
What products are you using ?

Did you test before you started dosing ?

Again, I'll say a second opinion on the pH test would be good and if your KH is really that low, I'd go with either dc4's suggestion of using Reef Builder to get your Alk back up, or bump up your Alk dosing, until it's higher
Either way, do it over a day or 2 so you don't create anymore shock and also Calcium precipitation
This should get your pH back inline

[Sunee]

I note you have given the times that you are dosing but have you ever checked the volume that is actually being delivered per dose? Even precision dosers can vary, I would check this to make sure. With your system you may have to alter the time of dosing for each product to make sure it is delivering exactly what you want.

I worked with a computer controlled nutrient delivery system for my Masters and had to check delivery of each channel before every experiment (180 channels) and input into the computer to ensure even dosing across the system.

Anyway I hope you figure it out.

[paddyob]

Steve St RCE tested my ph.... 8.2. So my test is pooches.

Going with the theory that my bulk dosing was adding more and although testing at 100 alk... The consistent 100 is lower with my doser than when dumping large single doses.

Make sense? Back to upping my alk manually.

[Ryan-b]

I would try and dial in the doser, may take a couple days or weeks, but once you have it you wont be disappointed.

Adding any chemical in large doses, at one time, is asking for trouble IMO.

[daniella3d]

100 kh is low? my tank is at 7 kh.

If I had 100 kh in my tank, all SPS would surely die.

what test are you using?

Originally Posted by paddyob

I have been using the doser for about a month.

And yes, 100 kh. A tad low but consistent in my tank.

My ph has never been this low before.

I agree messing with ph is the last step, but needs to happen soon as my SPS are not doing well.

[RedCoralEdmonton]

lol 100 is his measurement and it isnt in Dkh.... 100 mg/l works out to 5.6 Dkh... which is low....

Steve