pH drop - why?

[dragoneggs]

I just built an insulated cover for my sump due to system heat loss as the house is running cooler these days and my heaters aren't keeping up. I noticed that with no other changes, my pH has dropped from 8.4 to 8.1 in two days. Could this simply be due to the cover on the sump?

 

[DonW]

Yup less o2

Don

 

[mcoomer]

Don's right on the money. If you're going to cover your sump you should run air tubing and a stone in the sump. Even that may not be enough but you've got to do something to provide that gas exchange.

Mike

 

[dragoneggs]

Okay thanks... I just figured with an rimless DT fully exposed and a small return area also exposed on my sump where the return is it wouldn't change the pH as much as it did. Is it possible that my pH in my DT is much different?

Unfortunately due to other problems with my Elos 160XL set up, I am not getting as many tank turns as advertised. I do have plenty of flow in my DT (two MP40s).

 

[mcoomer]

I've heard of folks seeing dramatic pH swings in their tank during the winter when they have the windows closed on their house. I've never noticed that but I've heard several stories to that effect.

Mike

 

[ac7av]

I’ve been having a similar problem with my tank but it’s overheating because all the windows are closed all the time and its not cold enough to kick on the central heat to circulate air in the house. I’ve had to open all the doors on the stand and remove the light cover just to get some air circulating to cool it.

 

[DonW]

Okay thanks... I just figured with an rimless DT fully exposed and a small return area also exposed on my sump where the return is it wouldn't change the pH as much as it did. Is it possible that my pH in my DT is much different?

Unfortunately due to other problems with my Elos 160XL set up, I am not getting as many tank turns as advertised. I do have plenty of flow in my DT (two MP40s).

Although vortecs move water well they suck when it comes to gas exchange. You have to move them way up to completely break the surface.

Don

 

[DonW]

I've heard of folks seeing dramatic pH swings in their tank during the winter when they have the windows closed on their house. I've never noticed that but I've heard several stories to that effect.

Mike

True story. People and pets create co2. Heat poduces co2 as a burn biproduct.

Don

 

[dragoneggs]

The good news is I think I solved my heating problem with the styrofoam cover over most of my sump. Now I might not have to invest in a bigger heater. I am running three 200w heaters in the sump (200gal total system) but being that it is in the cool basement and I have about a 30ft run to/from my DT upstairs, I lose alot of heat. Along with LEDs, it proved to be great since set up in spring but now that the cooler weather is prevailing my temperature has been slowly dropping. I now just have to get the pH to stabilize back around 8.3 8.4. Added a little buffer to raise the alk a bit.

 

[dragoneggs]

Although vortecs move water well they suck when it comes to gas exchange. You have to move them way up to completely break the surface.

Don

Yes I have them relatively near the surface and I would like to go higher to get more break on the surface tension but I generate a vortex/funnel as it draws from topside of the unit. At 6.5in depth (center of vortech) I don't get a funnel. At 6in depth I do and that is at 3/4 power.

 

[thatguy559]

why not insulate the plumbing?

 

[dragoneggs]

why not insulate the plumbing?

Other than being difficult because most of the spa-flex (drain and return) is fished through the basement ceiling (hey I actually have a fishing pole stuck up there that is still just beyond arms reach!)... I wonder whether that will buy me much but the sump cover is proving to be quite effective!

 

[Frankie]

Although vortecs move water well they suck when it comes to gas exchange. You have to move them way up to completely break the surface.

Don

Fully agree, plain old maxi jets are much better for that.
But the vortech is a good pump to distribute that oxygen exchange lower down.

 

[dragoneggs]

Fully agree, plain old maxi jets are much better for that.
But the vortech is a good pump to distribute that oxygen exchange lower down.

I was thinking the same. They still impress me with their power. I have two 40s opposite a 5ft tank. Am thinking of a couple of maybe of 10s to put on the back wall near the surface to better stir the oxygen and develop even more random flow which I have to say is not bad (using reef crest mode).