Strange Ph Swings - Solutions?

[amcalab]

I was confused because water from my tap comes out very high (8.8 or higher), but after 24-48 hours in my tank it was going down to about 7.4. And after two weeks, the PH goes back up to 7.8 or 8.0. I couldn't figure out what was going on until I realised that the PH drops corresponded to changing my Penguin 200 filter i.e., adding fresh activated carbon.

So I did a test and let dechlorinated tap water set without filtering through carbon. In the past 24 hours, there has been no PH drop (i.e., still 8.8 ).

So it appears my PH swings based on the age of my carbon filter - possibly from phosphates being released from new carbon. Just a guess though.

My KH is 3.

So what can I do to keep my PH consistent and preferably less than 8.8 which seems rather high.


I have a bicarbonate based buffer called Water-Rite and a phosphate buffer Neutral Regulator. I can't find any info on the Water-Rite product, but it was recommended by my LFS because it does not add phosphates. Neutral Regulator is well-known but adds phosphates that could lead to algae problems. Any suugestions.

 

[crazie.eddie]

Did you start using Water Right and the phosphate buffer after you had the pH swings or before?

Why are you using them?

 

[Squid]

Why not just remove the carbon filter? Is there any need for it in your tank?

Squid

 

[amcalab]

- I am currently not using buffers. I own the bottles; but, I did not add them to the tank.

- The carbon comes preloaded into the standard Penguin cartridges. I suppose I could remove the carbon manually.

 

[Squid]

- I am currently not using buffers. I own the bottles; but, I did not add them to the tank.

- The carbon comes preloaded into the standard Penguin cartridges. I suppose I could remove the carbon manually.

Unless you are trying to remove medications, then i would remove it. Fill up the space that it took with the general media that you use in that filter.

Hope that helps

Squid