High Range pH Increaser deals with excess CO2, raises pH only without increasing alkalinity or calcium (in tanks already having a proper dKH)

Overview

• Increases pH in marine and reef aquaria without affecting alkalinity or calcium level (which is an unusual ability not found in most similar products) on properly buffered tanks.
• May also be used to increase pH in aquaria that have chronically low pH due to excess CO2 or other chronically low pH problems
• Works with buffers and alkalinity products to increase pH to desirable 8,3, 8.4 or 8.5 levels without increasing alkalinity itself (in marine aquariums that have a proper alkalinity of 7.7 to 10 dKH)
• Assists coral growth. Higher pH allows increased growth rate in new frags and mother colonies in coral grow-out facilities
   

Technical Overview

pH is a measurement of the acidity of a solution, such as aquarium water. The pH of natural seawater ranges from approximately 8.2 - 8.4, however maintaining pH in the range of 8.4 - 8.5 on a daily basis has a positive effect on captive marine organism growth rate, primarily in stony corals. Also may help prevent bleaching, boost immune response and assist in coloration. To maintain a stable pH within the desired range, the alkalinity must first be maintained within a range of 7.5 - 10.0 dKH (2.7 - 3.6 meq/L). Aquaria with low circulation at the water’s surface, or in which a CO2-injected calcium reactor is being employed, or which are placed in an enclosed room with human and animal inhabitants (giving off CO2 into the air), often have a depressed pH due to carbon dioxide build up. In an aquarium which has a proper alkalinity as stated above, Boost pH+ will overcome this and bring pH in the aquarium back into a higher desired range without raising alkalinity to an unacceptable level. Use as directed and do not exceed a pH value of 8.5, because pH at 8.6 or higher may be stressful and/or damaging to sensitive aquarium inhabitants. Additionally, changes to pH should be made very gradually, again to avoid stressing aquarium inhabitants. See suggestions for adjusting alkalinity below. It is not unusual for pH to fluctuate throughout the course of 24-hours between seemingly wide-ranging values (i.e. lower at night higher during the middle of the day); this is a natural occurrence that is caused by changes in the rates of photosynthesis between dark and light periods. If pH levels are seen to be constantly below the desired level and alkalinity is within the proper range, then the addition of Boost pH+ may be very helpful if the hobbyist has already properly adjusted the alkalinity and it is within recommended ranges.

Instructions & Guidelines

First read warning and follow safety recommendations while using or storing this product! This product safely raises pH only and does not increase alkalinity or calcium level. You must use other products for those functions. Do not attempt to use Boost pH+ on systems with low alkalinity or to raise alkalinity.  It is not designed for that. First, determine the alkalinity in the aquarium using an accurate test kit or recently-calibrated meter before using this product. If the alkalinity is below 7.6 dKH or 2.7 meq/L , adjust it first using Brightwell Aquatics’ pH+ or Alkalin8.3 or Alkalin8.3-P (powder) (all three of these products raise both the alkalinity and pH, unlike Boost pH+ which only raises the pH and not the alkalinity) and then allow 24-hours to elapse before re-testing alkalinity and pH, then adjust pH upward, if needed, by adding Boost pH+ as directed below. The dosage required will vary significantly based on a number of factors, but as a general estimate, 7.5 ml of Boost pH+ will raise the pH of 10 US gallons by about .1 pH.

Directions

First adjust the alkalinity to a range of 7.5 - 10.0. dKH (2.7 - 3.6 meq/L) as described above using Brightwell Aquatics’ pH+ or Alkalin8.3 or Alkalin8.3-P (powder) as directed on their bottles.  To raise pH further without increasing alkalinity, add 7.5 ml per of Boost pH+ (this product) per 10 US gallons in a high flow area such as a pump intake or a power head exhaust. pH will generally stabilize within 5 minutes following product use, Re-measure pH and dose again, if necessary. Livestock should not be subjected to a change in pH of more than 0.2 per 24-hour period, so do not overdose Boost pH+. Repeat as needed to attain desired pH value. It is recommended that pH be maintained within a range of +/-0.2 at all times.

Pitfalls

Boost pH+ is an excellent but somewhat unusual product, in that it is designed to adjust only the high end of your normal buffering system, not do the entire work of a complete buffer.  It has to be designed this way because a regular buffer cannot readily be adjusted to go higher than about 8.3 pH.  A product like Brightwell Aquatics’ pH+ or Alkalin8.3 or Alkalin8.3-P (powder) must first be used or the marine salt you are using must be properly buffered so that the alkalinity is in normal seawater ranges.  If the alkalinity is too low, Boost pH+ cannot work properly, and you will be disappointed.  Of course, it is dangerous to operate a marine system below 7.5 dKH and most hobbyists understand this. Systems with low alkalinity are subject to catastrophically rapid drops in pH, in much the same way that bank accounts that have low balances are subject to sudden overdrafts.  In this age of the internet where seemingly everyone with a computer is an expert,  there are voices that say that you can operate your tank at 7.0 or even lower (these are individuals that likely like to "roll the dice" at a casino too).  Of course a marine aquarium will operate just fine at the low dKH until there is an upset and then everything dies.  The following is a list of mistakes that could cause Boost pH+ not to give you the performance you desire:

If you don't adjust the alkalinity to at least 7.5 dKH and maintain that level.  The water industry calls alkalinity "temporary hardness."  I think this may be a better term.  Alkalinity must always be added because it is always reacting and leaving the system. If you don't properly adjust alkalinity with a true buffer, you could observe the need for excessive amounts of Boost pH+, cloudiness of the aquarium and the product will not perform as advertised.  We also recommend that you use a true buffer, such as Brightwell Aquatics’ Alkalin8.3 or Alkalin8.3-P to increase the alkalinity, instead of some of the single component so called "alkalinity" supplements that only contain sodium carbonate.  You could save money from using them, but they are not really bargains when you factor in the instability in your aquarium that they cannot overcome.  True buffers have multiple ingredients blended to provide tighter control over pH swings and the relative safety from crashes.  True buffers regulate pH besides providing alkalinity.

If you set up Boost pH+ on a doser prior to first using it on the system and understanding how it interacts with alkalinity on your particular tank, it could lead to disaster.  Boost pH+ can easily be dosed on systems that have an automatically controlled alkalinity (to keep the alkalinity above 7.5 dKH), but you should take time to see how it interacts first.  Go slow.  Overuse of Boost pH+ can raise the pH too high if you don't measure and pay attention.  Our true buffers, Alkalin8.3 or Alkalin8.3-P, can be overused without much consequences.  They will stop at a pH of about 8.3. This is not true of Boost pH+.  If you continue to add Boost pH+, it will continue to raise the pH to even dangerous levels in much the same way as continuing to press the accelerator on your car will increase the speed past the speed limit.  This isn't likely, but it could happen with gross neglect.

Warning: Contains caustic sodium and potassium hydroxides; Causes burns. Keep out of reach of children. Wear suitable gloves and eye/face protection during use. Harmful if swallowed. If swallowed: Do not induce vomiting. First rinse mouth thoroughly, then give water, call a poison control center and get medical attention. May cause eye or skin irritation. If in eyes, remove any contact lenses, flush with water for 15 minutes IMMEDIATELY, if irritation persists, get medical attention. If on skin, remove contaminated clothes, wash skin thoroughly with soap and water for 5 to 10 minutes. Not for human consumption.