High PH problem - Aquaponic Gardening2024-03-29T00:43:36Zhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/forum/topics/high-ph-problem?id=4778851%3ATopic%3A238262&feed=yes&xn_auth=nothe wood we use is DRIFTWOOD…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-03-08:4778851:Comment:3034352012-03-08T15:53:35.374Zrandy proctorhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/randyproctor
<p>the wood we use is DRIFTWOOD FROM THE LAKES OR CREEKS/RIVERS ETC. It is smooth and dry and light. Probably sycamore? It has worked wonderfully. Don't use Pine good luck<br></br><br></br><cite>TCLynx said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/high-ph-problem?xg_source=msg_com_forum&id=4778851%3ATopic%3A238262&page=1#4778851Comment238346"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>I don't have numbers because it depends on so many things as to how much rain…</p>
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<p>the wood we use is DRIFTWOOD FROM THE LAKES OR CREEKS/RIVERS ETC. It is smooth and dry and light. Probably sycamore? It has worked wonderfully. Don't use Pine good luck<br/><br/><cite>TCLynx said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/high-ph-problem?xg_source=msg_com_forum&id=4778851%3ATopic%3A238262&page=1#4778851Comment238346"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>I don't have numbers because it depends on so many things as to how much rain water it would take. Do you know how much water you top the system up with? I know that if I use rain water to top up my 300 gallon system for a month the pH definitely drops compared to if I'm topping up with my well water.</p>
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<p>Now I know of people who say they have done things like add a couple oak logs (like pieces of fire wood) into their tanks to help lower pH. I'm testing that idea out on one of my systems right now but It hasn't been a week yet so I'm not seeing any results.</p>
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<p>A water softener that removes minerals from the water (like for keeping lime scale from building up in your water heater and such) can work but it will likely also add some salt to your water so it may not be that great.</p>
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<p>RO filters can be costly which is why I haven't gone that way myself but I'm having issues with lack of rain too.</p>
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</blockquote> Anyone using SeaChem products…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-03-08:4778851:Comment:3035192012-03-08T14:24:07.265ZRWhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/RW
<p>Anyone using SeaChem products? </p>
<p>Anyone using SeaChem products? </p> Actually, some parts of the c…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-01-20:4778851:Comment:2804302012-01-20T00:58:46.667ZTCLynxhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/TCLynx
<p>Actually, some parts of the country, once you let the dissolved carbon dioxide escape from the water, a pH of 8.4 isn't that crazy. If I test my well water right out of the faucet I'll get a reading between 7-7.4 usually but if I let that water bubble overnight and then test again, 8.0-8.2 is normal. Some places have liquid limestone coming out of the faucet and 8.4 is normal and the reason some parts of the country have lots of water softeners and RO filters for the…</p>
<p>Actually, some parts of the country, once you let the dissolved carbon dioxide escape from the water, a pH of 8.4 isn't that crazy. If I test my well water right out of the faucet I'll get a reading between 7-7.4 usually but if I let that water bubble overnight and then test again, 8.0-8.2 is normal. Some places have liquid limestone coming out of the faucet and 8.4 is normal and the reason some parts of the country have lots of water softeners and RO filters for the houses.</p>
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<p>If pH is high, adding a buffer isn't going to help.</p>
<p>But I agree that using acid is not a good long term solution either. I admit I've had to resort to it myself when I don't have any rain water though. Problem with using acid regularly is it will simply mobilize more of the calcium into the water and likely cause potassium lockout problems.</p> Well, when you see pH problem…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-01-19:4778851:Comment:2802162012-01-19T16:41:33.597ZFormulaXhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/Sean
<p>Well, when you see pH problems, ask yourself, </p>
<p>-Is the water flow high enough throughout the system?</p>
<p>-Is there any material that may be leeching into my system?</p>
<p>-The media being used, is it safe?</p>
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<p>Try adding a buffer before adding an acid like muriac.</p>
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<p>The fish may be your solution. Tap water at a pH of 8.4 sounds strange. What kind of test kit are you using? The dip sticks or red litmus paper are the best solutions i…</p>
<p>Well, when you see pH problems, ask yourself, </p>
<p>-Is the water flow high enough throughout the system?</p>
<p>-Is there any material that may be leeching into my system?</p>
<p>-The media being used, is it safe?</p>
<p></p>
<p>Try adding a buffer before adding an acid like muriac.</p>
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<p>The fish may be your solution. Tap water at a pH of 8.4 sounds strange. What kind of test kit are you using? The dip sticks or red litmus paper are the best solutions i think.</p>
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<p>If your tap water really is 8.4, try buying a few gallons of distilled water, i dont know how large your tank is, but it doesnt sound like a tap water problem. </p>
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<p>You could try running the water through aquarium activated carbon. </p>
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<p>It doesnt sound like a water problem, but some other component of the system that's screwing up the water.</p> UPS (Uninterruptable Power Su…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-01-19:4778851:Comment:2798962012-01-19T15:20:39.526ZTCLynxhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/TCLynx
<p>UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply) Like used for computers, basically a mains power unit that also has a battery and will automatically switch to battery power when mains power cuts out to keep from suddenly pulling the plug on a computer. Most are not up to running any larger pumps but they would be an option for keeping a small air pump or tiny water pump running.</p>
<p>UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply) Like used for computers, basically a mains power unit that also has a battery and will automatically switch to battery power when mains power cuts out to keep from suddenly pulling the plug on a computer. Most are not up to running any larger pumps but they would be an option for keeping a small air pump or tiny water pump running.</p> I know I am new to Aquaponics…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-01-19:4778851:Comment:2798932012-01-19T15:08:32.151Zrandy proctorhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/randyproctor
<p>I know I am new to Aquaponics gardening site, anyone out there with high PH, our water is normally high in PH, we tried several things, if you live around a lake, find a piece of driftwood that has washed upon the shore, cut it up into logs you pick size for your system, put in tank with the fish to float around. We now have perfect PH. The fish loves the logs ha We have 6 tanks @ 125 gallon each with Tilapia and 12 grow beds. We love aquaponics. We are currently searching for…</p>
<p>I know I am new to Aquaponics gardening site, anyone out there with high PH, our water is normally high in PH, we tried several things, if you live around a lake, find a piece of driftwood that has washed upon the shore, cut it up into logs you pick size for your system, put in tank with the fish to float around. We now have perfect PH. The fish loves the logs ha We have 6 tanks @ 125 gallon each with Tilapia and 12 grow beds. We love aquaponics. We are currently searching for alternate energy to run the pumps, air and heaters etc. Any ideas. BY the way what is UPS?????</p> ya that is possible, today i…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2011-12-02:4778851:Comment:2594302011-12-02T04:41:40.941ZDanny Danielhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/DannyDaniel
<p>ya that is possible, today i found 2 more dead fish, one was on his back when i saw him but was moving very little then just died, the other one was dead for maybe for a few days, cuz he had all the white color fungus around him. i removed the filter around the pump so the gunk can get into the pump, the bucket was not stopping the gunk from getting into the pump the filter was, because when i looked into the bucket today it was all gunk inside of it all stuck on the filter so i cleaned…</p>
<p>ya that is possible, today i found 2 more dead fish, one was on his back when i saw him but was moving very little then just died, the other one was dead for maybe for a few days, cuz he had all the white color fungus around him. i removed the filter around the pump so the gunk can get into the pump, the bucket was not stopping the gunk from getting into the pump the filter was, because when i looked into the bucket today it was all gunk inside of it all stuck on the filter so i cleaned the filter and took it off so this time im thinking it should work better.</p>
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<p>Im not to worried anymore as much, this is my first system and there is SOOO much i would change to it, but i can't because of the way its built and its just not worth the time, i can build a better one besides im going to be putting up my ziptowers soon so thats more on my mind, but i still want to keep the system alive so im doing all i can for it :).</p>
<p></p> The bucket or baskets or what…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2011-12-01:4778851:Comment:2588772011-12-01T18:10:44.636ZTCLynxhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/TCLynx
<p>The bucket or baskets or whatever were put in place because there were fish found suck to the pump. However if there is a sponge filter in the pump and the pump is not able to suck the gunk out of the tank, then I'm thinking perhaps the fish didn't get killed by the pump but rater just wound up against it after they died of some other causes.</p>
<p>The bucket or baskets or whatever were put in place because there were fish found suck to the pump. However if there is a sponge filter in the pump and the pump is not able to suck the gunk out of the tank, then I'm thinking perhaps the fish didn't get killed by the pump but rater just wound up against it after they died of some other causes.</p> I'd remove the bucket as welltag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2011-12-01:4778851:Comment:2587952011-12-01T16:45:54.766ZRupertofOZhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/RupertofOZ
<p>I'd remove the bucket as well</p>
<p>I'd remove the bucket as well</p> good idea, alot of the gunk g…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2011-12-01:4778851:Comment:2588722011-12-01T15:22:24.761ZDanny Danielhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/DannyDaniel
<p>good idea, alot of the gunk goes and gets stuck on the side of the bucket i have the pump in.</p>
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<p>2 things i need to do, remove the filter on the pump, so the gunk doesnt get stuck on it and goes through it.</p>
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<p>and second i need to clean more of the gunk out :).</p>
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<p>nice thanks again for the great advice.</p>
<p>good idea, alot of the gunk goes and gets stuck on the side of the bucket i have the pump in.</p>
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<p>2 things i need to do, remove the filter on the pump, so the gunk doesnt get stuck on it and goes through it.</p>
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<p>and second i need to clean more of the gunk out :).</p>
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<p>nice thanks again for the great advice.</p>