Help With Dropping pH - Aquaponic Gardening2024-03-29T04:46:33Zhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/forum/topics/help-with-dropping-ph?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A420987&feed=yes&xn_auth=noSteven, you can add a base (l…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-12-06:4778851:Comment:4209872012-12-06T13:07:48.251ZVlad Jovanovichttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/VladJovanovic
<p>Steven, you can add a base (like potassium bicarb...or if you know how to be carefull and not overdo things some potassium hydroxide [KOH]) until the acid becomes neutralized and quits being able to lower your pH.</p>
<p>Make 'small' additions of some base...run your pump and re-check the pH after 3 or 4 hours. When you add the base, at first you'll get a higher pH reading, but then after a couple of hours when the acid neutralizes the base, the pH will be back down...Keep doing this till…</p>
<p>Steven, you can add a base (like potassium bicarb...or if you know how to be carefull and not overdo things some potassium hydroxide [KOH]) until the acid becomes neutralized and quits being able to lower your pH.</p>
<p>Make 'small' additions of some base...run your pump and re-check the pH after 3 or 4 hours. When you add the base, at first you'll get a higher pH reading, but then after a couple of hours when the acid neutralizes the base, the pH will be back down...Keep doing this till the pH doesn't bounce back down.</p>
<p>This is the same process people who treat their "hard" high pH top up water with acid go through (in order to pre- treat the top up water to obtain a lower pH), <em>only in reverse</em>...you'll be neutralizing an acid by using a base, whereas they are neutralizing a base by using an acid. Same darn thing, just 'backwards'. No biggie...</p>
<p>Besides, once the di-potassium phosphate disassociates (by the acid/base reaction) you'll be ahead of the curve as far as some plants essential elements go <img src="http://www.bkserv.net/images/Grin.gif"/>. You can look at this as a 'gift' from the cosmos as long as you just neutralize that acid with some alkalinity...</p> Thanks Roger. The problem is…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-12-06:4778851:Comment:4209802012-12-06T04:35:14.148ZSteven Mhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/StevenM
<p>Thanks Roger. The problem is my pH is well below 6 and below 4 when tested with a different test kit. I cant even get to the point to begin cycling because I cant maintain a stable pH.</p>
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<p>Thanks Roger. The problem is my pH is well below 6 and below 4 when tested with a different test kit. I cant even get to the point to begin cycling because I cant maintain a stable pH.</p>
<p></p> You don't want the pH to drop…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-12-06:4778851:Comment:4211062012-12-06T04:22:26.375ZRogerhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/RogerEmmick
<p>You don't want the pH to drop too far below 6 or the bacteria that form to cycle your system won't manifest. The bacteria prefer a more alkaline reading. Although 6.6 isn't anything to worry about. I wish you well.<br></br> <cite>Alex Veidel said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/help-with-dropping-ph#4778851Comment416531"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>I can vouch for Ace Hardware's 10% ammonia hydroxide solution. That's what I used…</p>
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<p>You don't want the pH to drop too far below 6 or the bacteria that form to cycle your system won't manifest. The bacteria prefer a more alkaline reading. Although 6.6 isn't anything to worry about. I wish you well.<br/> <cite>Alex Veidel said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/help-with-dropping-ph#4778851Comment416531"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>I can vouch for Ace Hardware's 10% ammonia hydroxide solution. That's what I used for my system, just don't hold it up to your nose and breathe in deeply. Strong smelling stuff! You can probably go ahead and start cycling, I didn't worry about my pH too much when I did. That's the beauty of fishless cycling, no stress! You've got plenty of time to worry about pH adjusting while your system is cycling.</p>
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</blockquote> After my pH plummeted below d…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-12-06:4778851:Comment:4210552012-12-06T03:50:52.107ZSteven Mhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/StevenM
<p>After my pH plummeted below detectable levels I did some looking into what was previously stored in my IBC. I found out it was <span class="hP" id=":2yl">dipotassium phosphate</span> which is highly acidic and might explain the situation. I thoroughly rinsed out the container multiple times before filling using only water. I didn't use any soap fearing the residue might impact the systems chemistry. I'm beginning to second guess this decision. Does anyone have a recommendation as far as…</p>
<p>After my pH plummeted below detectable levels I did some looking into what was previously stored in my IBC. I found out it was <span id=":2yl" class="hP">dipotassium phosphate</span> which is highly acidic and might explain the situation. I thoroughly rinsed out the container multiple times before filling using only water. I didn't use any soap fearing the residue might impact the systems chemistry. I'm beginning to second guess this decision. Does anyone have a recommendation as far as using soap vs not using soap to clear the previous material from an IBC? Or What U can use to neutralize the container before filling again?</p>
<p>Thanks </p> I can vouch for Ace Hardware'…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-11-15:4778851:Comment:4165312012-11-15T21:51:08.124ZAlex Veidelhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/AlexVeidel
<p>I can vouch for Ace Hardware's 10% ammonia hydroxide solution. That's what I used for my system, just don't hold it up to your nose and breathe in deeply. Strong smelling stuff! You can probably go ahead and start cycling, I didn't worry about my pH too much when I did. That's the beauty of fishless cycling, no stress! You've got plenty of time to worry about pH adjusting while your system is cycling.</p>
<p>I can vouch for Ace Hardware's 10% ammonia hydroxide solution. That's what I used for my system, just don't hold it up to your nose and breathe in deeply. Strong smelling stuff! You can probably go ahead and start cycling, I didn't worry about my pH too much when I did. That's the beauty of fishless cycling, no stress! You've got plenty of time to worry about pH adjusting while your system is cycling.</p> Thank you for your replies. …tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-11-15:4778851:Comment:4163932012-11-15T16:15:23.319ZSteven Mhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/StevenM
<p>Thank you for your replies. </p>
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<p>I am using the API test kit and have been following the instructions accordingly.</p>
<p><br></br>I have not added a nitrogen source yet. I waned to ensure my pH was stable before doing so. I plan to add Ace 10% Ammonia Hydroxide. Can it be confirmed that that is a good source?</p>
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<p>I am not using a water softener. I haven't begun cycling yet; is it possible that a lack of buffer due to lack of hardness would case a pH drop? Would it…</p>
<p>Thank you for your replies. </p>
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<p>I am using the API test kit and have been following the instructions accordingly.</p>
<p><br/>I have not added a nitrogen source yet. I waned to ensure my pH was stable before doing so. I plan to add Ace 10% Ammonia Hydroxide. Can it be confirmed that that is a good source?</p>
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<p>I am not using a water softener. I haven't begun cycling yet; is it possible that a lack of buffer due to lack of hardness would case a pH drop? Would it make sense to add calcium carbonate or potassium bicarbonate prior to cycling? If so, what what concentration? My tank holds 175gal.</p>
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<p>Thanks again!</p>
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<p></p> its a little early in the gam…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-11-15:4778851:Comment:4164532012-11-15T12:46:11.031ZRob Nashhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/RobNash
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; color: black; font-size: 11pt;">its a little early in the game, but a system with inert media will "go acidic" after it is mature.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; color: black; font-size: 11pt;">i have to guess this means your water has very little hardness and thus very little "buffer" to maintain the ph... are you using a water softener?…</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; color: black; font-size: 11pt;">its a little early in the game, but a system with inert media will "go acidic" after it is mature.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; color: black; font-size: 11pt;">i have to guess this means your water has very little hardness and thus very little "buffer" to maintain the ph... are you using a water softener?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; color: black; font-size: 11pt;">most folks will add calcium carb and potassium bicarb etc.. i like to add 30%- 40% pea gravel or river rock. ...i havent adjusted my ph in over 2 years.</span></p>
<p> </p> Did you put a nitrogen source…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-11-15:4778851:Comment:4164502012-11-15T11:56:23.255Zmatthew ferrellhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/matthewferrell
<p>Did you put a nitrogen source in it to help cycle?</p>
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<p>Did you put a nitrogen source in it to help cycle?</p>
<p></p> Steven what kind of tester ar…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-11-15:4778851:Comment:4164382012-11-15T03:24:40.083ZGrowzayhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/JGrowzayGerard
<p>Steven what kind of tester are you using? Are you using the API fresh water master testing kit? Which of the PH testers are you using- the regular PH testing solution? Or the High range PH test solution? I assume you're using both to get both of those readings. Either way, a 6.6 PH reading is nothing to worry about. Make sure you are using the correct amount of drops of solution to the vial and the correct level of water to be tested.</p>
<p>Steven what kind of tester are you using? Are you using the API fresh water master testing kit? Which of the PH testers are you using- the regular PH testing solution? Or the High range PH test solution? I assume you're using both to get both of those readings. Either way, a 6.6 PH reading is nothing to worry about. Make sure you are using the correct amount of drops of solution to the vial and the correct level of water to be tested.</p>