pH continually dropping to 5... What the heck is it?? - Aquaponic Gardening2024-03-29T02:20:07Zhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/forum/topics/ph-continually-dropping-to-5-what-the-heck-is-it?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A498297&feed=yes&xn_auth=noA bit back in thread I had me…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-08-25:4778851:Comment:5087542013-08-25T19:06:52.213ZTradewindhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/GaryOdom
<p>A bit back in thread I had mentioned how rainwater was whacking my system. Now that I have buffered my system with Barn Lime (Calcium Carbonate) it just stays at 6.6 pH come rain or come shine. A few palms full and she has been steady ever since. I dumped it in my sump and I can still see remains in the bottom of the tank that gets used up as the system needs it. I no longer have a problem. Nor have I had to add any for about 10 days and sure it will continue as is without tinkering.…</p>
<p>A bit back in thread I had mentioned how rainwater was whacking my system. Now that I have buffered my system with Barn Lime (Calcium Carbonate) it just stays at 6.6 pH come rain or come shine. A few palms full and she has been steady ever since. I dumped it in my sump and I can still see remains in the bottom of the tank that gets used up as the system needs it. I no longer have a problem. Nor have I had to add any for about 10 days and sure it will continue as is without tinkering. Since barn lime is like 2 bucks for 40 lbs at Tractor Supply it was certainly economical and very easy to do. I started another thread about acid rain to as not to divert from the original Dagmarvelous thread here.</p>
<p><a href="http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/xn/detail/4778851:Topic:507083?xg_source=activity" target="_self">Acid rain</a></p> This was a great thread! Thi…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-08-25:4778851:Comment:5085882013-08-25T17:39:00.489ZArthttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/ArtLeitgeb
<p>This was a great thread! This had many suggestions - I think I counted 17. The one I settled on to help keep the PH level up without adding chemicals every few days is the "Limestone River Rock" </p>
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<p>Any suggestions on where to find Limestone River Rock?</p>
<p>I tried Lowes - no luck. I google this and no luck.</p>
<p>Perhaps called something else in NY?</p>
<p>Thanks,</p>
<p>This was a great thread! This had many suggestions - I think I counted 17. The one I settled on to help keep the PH level up without adding chemicals every few days is the "Limestone River Rock" </p>
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<p>Any suggestions on where to find Limestone River Rock?</p>
<p>I tried Lowes - no luck. I google this and no luck.</p>
<p>Perhaps called something else in NY?</p>
<p>Thanks,</p> Casey - Randall,
Thank you fo…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-08-17:4778851:Comment:5053982013-08-17T13:10:53.455ZTradewindhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/GaryOdom
<p>Casey - Randall,</p>
<p>Thank you for your input. I am not sure what is going on, but I do know it is back to the 6.4 - 6.8 range depending on the time of day. Whatever happened happened, as along as it stays in that range I will be a happy camper. Fish and plants are both thriving. All except for those Shiners that I put in about 2 weeks ago. Just about every morning I get one more dead Shiner. The goldfish however are having not difficulties. The stupid tomatoes plant do not realize…</p>
<p>Casey - Randall,</p>
<p>Thank you for your input. I am not sure what is going on, but I do know it is back to the 6.4 - 6.8 range depending on the time of day. Whatever happened happened, as along as it stays in that range I will be a happy camper. Fish and plants are both thriving. All except for those Shiners that I put in about 2 weeks ago. Just about every morning I get one more dead Shiner. The goldfish however are having not difficulties. The stupid tomatoes plant do not realize that the season has long been over and they keep producing; determinant variety an all. Only one plant to give it up has been a cucumber plant because I left one ready to be picked for longer than I should as it was hiding in the growth. Now it is time to get ready for the fall plantings. Thanks guys.</p> I am not sure what is going o…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-08-15:4778851:Comment:5047912013-08-15T19:59:58.501ZCasey Haashttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/CaseyHaas
<p>I am not sure what is going on with your system. Rain water mixes with carbon dioxide in the air (and pollutants) as it falls which makes it slightly acidic, so it seems unlikely that the rainwater would make your system more basic. As Wes mentioned, the CaCO3 should dissolve (or not dissolve) based on pH (it starts dissolving under pH 7.0 [approximately] and stops dissolving above pH 7.0 [approximately]) so it seems unlikely that it would make your system more basic than ~7.2.</p>
<p>You…</p>
<p>I am not sure what is going on with your system. Rain water mixes with carbon dioxide in the air (and pollutants) as it falls which makes it slightly acidic, so it seems unlikely that the rainwater would make your system more basic. As Wes mentioned, the CaCO3 should dissolve (or not dissolve) based on pH (it starts dissolving under pH 7.0 [approximately] and stops dissolving above pH 7.0 [approximately]) so it seems unlikely that it would make your system more basic than ~7.2.</p>
<p>You and mother nature have made several changes to your system over the last few days....you may just want to let it settle out and see what the pH is in a day or two before you think about making any other changes. The only other thing I can think of would be testing errors. Sometimes if a test tube doesn't get rinsed out well and there is a little bit of reagent left from a previous test it can give an incorrect pH result (I've had that happen). When in doubt, retest! Also, as mentioned above there can be differences in pH depending on time of day. I'd keep checking it daily at the same time until you see what it settles out at.</p>
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<p> </p> Wes,
In regards to Hydrated L…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-08-15:4778851:Comment:5050632013-08-15T18:28:40.934ZTradewindhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/GaryOdom
<p>Wes,</p>
<p>In regards to Hydrated Lime I have found the following information in various placing on the internet and I have summarized here:</p>
<p>Calcite, sea shells, coral, aragonite and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaterite" title="Vaterite">vaterite</a> are pure calcium carbonate minerals. Industrially important source rocks which are predominantly calcium carbonate include limestone (ag lime), chalk, marble and travertine. As you can see calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and it…</p>
<p>Wes,</p>
<p>In regards to Hydrated Lime I have found the following information in various placing on the internet and I have summarized here:</p>
<p>Calcite, sea shells, coral, aragonite and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaterite" title="Vaterite">vaterite</a> are pure calcium carbonate minerals. Industrially important source rocks which are predominantly calcium carbonate include limestone (ag lime), chalk, marble and travertine. As you can see calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and it comes from nature.</p>
<p>Hydrated lime on the other hand is Calcium Hydroxide (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calcium" title="Calcium">Ca</a>(<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydroxide" title="Hydroxide">OH</a>)<sub>2</sub>) and mostly comes from an industrial process whereas water is mixed with Calcium Oxide CaO. The mineral form, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portlandite" title="Portlandite">portlandite</a>, is relatively rare but can be found in some volcanic, plutonic, and metamorphic rocks. It has also been known to arise in burning coal dumps. (end of reference)</p>
<p>For the most part, I believe we have been discussing the addition of various forms of Calcium Carbonates (CC) such as the shells, and crushed coral and limestone and marble were a few that was mentioned. So to keep it on point, I would prefer to avoid the discussion of Calcium Hydroxide which is a different story altogether. In fact, Nate makes a very clear distinction between the two and that is another topic I would rather avoid.</p>
<p>For the moment let us concentrate on the use of calcium carbonates and their response. Now back to my question, which was not addressing the new addition of CC but rather the influx of rainwater. Why would a system that had been buffered with CC and was holding at 6.4 range spike to 7.4 with the addition of rainwater? Now in truth the answer could well be in my inability to differentiate between 7.2 and 7.4 on the color chart. I have read elsewhere that CC would hold to a upper limit of 7.2.</p>
<p>What ‘cha think?</p>
<p><br/> <cite>wes said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/ph-continually-dropping-to-5-what-the-heck-is-it?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A504770&xg_source=msg_com_forum#4778851Comment504770"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Yes it has been my experience that added calcium in the form of hydrated lime does change the ph quicker and it also doesn’t last as long. That is the beauty of the crushed coral or bed rock that Rob Nash was talking about. After you find out the amount that your system needs it balances itself out. The ph usually levels off at 7.0. In a healthy system the coral keeps the ph balance in check by only dissolving the necessary amount when the Ph starts to drop and only then.</p>
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</blockquote> Yes it has been my experience…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-08-15:4778851:Comment:5047702013-08-15T15:15:02.544Zweshttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/wes
<p>Yes it has been my experience that added calcium in the form of hydrated lime does change the ph quicker and it also doesn’t last as long. That is the beauty of the crushed coral or bed rock that Rob Nash was talking about. After you find out the amount that your system needs it balances itself out. The ph usually levels off at 7.0. In a healthy system the coral keeps the ph balance in check by only dissolving the necessary amount when the Ph starts to drop and only then.</p>
<p>Yes it has been my experience that added calcium in the form of hydrated lime does change the ph quicker and it also doesn’t last as long. That is the beauty of the crushed coral or bed rock that Rob Nash was talking about. After you find out the amount that your system needs it balances itself out. The ph usually levels off at 7.0. In a healthy system the coral keeps the ph balance in check by only dissolving the necessary amount when the Ph starts to drop and only then.</p> Update: Just another chapter…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-08-15:4778851:Comment:5049292013-08-15T15:07:31.367ZTradewindhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/GaryOdom
<p>Update: Just another chapter in the adventure: Last night we had a really heavy rainstorm pouring a lot of water into my AP system. I am not sure I understand how these things occur, but yesterday afternoon my pH was running abut 6.8. This morning it is at 7.8. Now that really confuses me. I was under the impression that rainwater was pH neutral or 7.0. If my pH was running 6.8 why would the addition of copious amounts of rainwater run it past 7.0?</p>
<p>Update: Just another chapter in the adventure: Last night we had a really heavy rainstorm pouring a lot of water into my AP system. I am not sure I understand how these things occur, but yesterday afternoon my pH was running abut 6.8. This morning it is at 7.8. Now that really confuses me. I was under the impression that rainwater was pH neutral or 7.0. If my pH was running 6.8 why would the addition of copious amounts of rainwater run it past 7.0?</p> I'm so glad I started this di…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-08-15:4778851:Comment:5049252013-08-15T14:55:34.437ZDagmarveloushttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/Dagmarvelous
<p>I'm so glad I started this discussion! I am learning so much just "watching" you guys talk!</p>
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<p>Thanks!!</p>
<p>I'm so glad I started this discussion! I am learning so much just "watching" you guys talk!</p>
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<p>Thanks!!</p> Wes,
I think your comment was…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-08-15:4778851:Comment:5047682013-08-15T14:00:01.077ZTradewindhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/GaryOdom
<p>Wes,</p>
<p>I think your comment was directed at Casey about being way too quick. being that his system balanced that quickly after only two days. That does present an interesting question though. If we have been having low pH problems and we make an adjustment with some form of carbonate and then see results in a short order, what is the explanation? We all know that it takes time for these changes to occur as the absorption of the minerals is a gradual process. Basically the same thing…</p>
<p>Wes,</p>
<p>I think your comment was directed at Casey about being way too quick. being that his system balanced that quickly after only two days. That does present an interesting question though. If we have been having low pH problems and we make an adjustment with some form of carbonate and then see results in a short order, what is the explanation? We all know that it takes time for these changes to occur as the absorption of the minerals is a gradual process. Basically the same thing happened to me with adding Ag Lime, a change in the short run but then a return to a lower level and then again a return to a higher level after waiting longer yet. Are we seeing a reaction to the finer particles and then a reaction the coarser particle size as it is absorbed? Unlike bicarbonates that react quickly and then burn off quickly it was my thinking the other forms of carbonates would be more gradual and offer consistency, else why do it? Am I in the woods here?<br/> <br/> <cite>wes said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/ph-continually-dropping-to-5-what-the-heck-is-it?id=4778851%3ATopic%3A497117&page=4#4778851Comment504659"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Hey that was way too quick with the adjustment but glad to hear. Just keep checking on the ph for at least a month or so to make sure things are going the way you want. I have to say I love the fact my system stays at 6.8 tp 7.0 and I don't have to do a thing but keep and eye on it by doing my regular water tests. Glad I could help.</p>
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</blockquote> Hey that was way too quick wi…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-08-15:4778851:Comment:5046592013-08-15T00:43:02.700Zweshttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/wes
<p>Hey that was way too quick with the adjustment but glad to hear. Just keep checking on the ph for at least a month or so to make sure things are going the way you want. I have to say I love the fact my system stays at 6.8 tp 7.0 and I don't have to do a thing but keep and eye on it by doing my regular water tests. Glad I could help.</p>
<p>Hey that was way too quick with the adjustment but glad to hear. Just keep checking on the ph for at least a month or so to make sure things are going the way you want. I have to say I love the fact my system stays at 6.8 tp 7.0 and I don't have to do a thing but keep and eye on it by doing my regular water tests. Glad I could help.</p>