supplement levels good but Ph still low...

[gREEF Stricken]

Ok chemistry folks...



I use Randy's DIY supplement formula #2. All my numbers are staying in line but my Ph is still hovering around 8.05...Anything I can do to keep it closer to 8.15-2.0?

Thanks
GS

90 gal...with rock and sump calling it 100 gal volume.

Ca-440
Alk-11.5
Mg-1350
Amm...0
No2...0
N03... .5
PO4....5

 

[Boomer]

At what time is that pH at 8.05 ?

Most pH issues are due to high room air CO2. Adding buffers to raise the pH is not a good idea as the Alk just keeps climbing.

 

[1guydude]

+1 don't go chasing ph. Ph will rise and level out as ur water matures. Ph usually drops at night...With alk. Which is why some people wake up next day to a dead coral...
Imo u can open a window a cpl hrs a day and see if it helps keep it stable. Hths and look to wat boomer has to say! Fwiw most all of our ph will be at 7.8-8

D

 

[mfinn]

+1 don't go chasing ph. Ph will rise and level out as ur water matures. Ph usually drops at night...With alk. Which is why some people wake up next day to a dead coral...
Imo u can open a window a cpl hrs a day and see if it helps keep it stable. Hths and look to wat boomer has to say! Fwiw most all of our ph will be at 7.8-8

D

Yes, I agree, chasing numbers will just wear you out.

 

[gREEF Stricken]

Realizing after watching it for a few days but it does seem to fluctuate a little at night, but I guess as long as you can go as low as 7.8 then I shouldn't worry. Thanks for the info guys.

 

[mfinn]

Realizing after watching it for a few days but it does seem to fluctuate a little at night, but I guess as long as you can go as low as 7.8 then I shouldn't worry. Thanks for the info guys.

One of the reasons many light their refugium at night. Reverse daylight schedule. Helps reduce the amount of fluctuation.

 

[gREEF Stricken]

One of the reasons many light their refugium at night. Reverse daylight schedule. Helps reduce the amount of fluctuation.

I have done this since day one. I did a lot of reading before I started.

 

[NanaReefer]

I have done this since day one. I did a lot of reading before I started.

How's that been working out for you? PH still at 8.0? What time of the day are you testing and how far from when you dose your ALK?

 

[gREEF Stricken]

Apex controller so insta-read. I dose at night and in the morning. Never see over 8.2 except shortly after ALK dose

How's that been working out for you? PH still at 8.5? What time of the day are you testing and how far from when you dose your ALK?

 

[NanaReefer]

You know your PH is totally acceptable right? Drop Randy a PM, I'm sure he'll put your mind at ease

 

[gREEF Stricken]

I am coming to realize this. Just never seems to want to climb over 8.2. I'll quit fussin, everything is growin. And one of my RBTA's just split off a little baby!!

You know your PH is totally acceptable right? Drop Randy a PM, I'm sure he'll put your mind at ease

 

[tat2z_21]

Boomer is riht, as you guys start to close your windows and running the heater, the CO2 in your house raises, as the surface of your water exchanges oxygen it also pulls in this CO2. As we all know CO2 lowers your ph just like we do in a calcium reactor. Try taking a bowl of your tank water test it indoors, then take it out side and let it sit for 5 minutes stirring it with a spoon. Then test it again.

 

[gREEF Stricken]

Interesting.i'll give it a try

Boomer is riht, as you guys start to close your windows and running the heater, the CO2 in your house raises, as the surface of your water exchanges oxygen it also pulls in this CO2. As we all know CO2 lowers your ph just like we do in a calcium reactor. Try taking a bowl of your tank water test it indoors, then take it out side and let it sit for 5 minutes stirring it with a spoon. Then test it again.

 

[NanaReefer]

Boomer is riht, as you guys start to close your windows and running the heater, the CO2 in your house raises, as the surface of your water exchanges oxygen it also pulls in this CO2. As we all know CO2 lowers your ph just like we do in a calcium reactor. Try taking a bowl of your tank water test it indoors, then take it out side and let it sit for 5 minutes stirring it with a spoon. Then test it again.

Ok nice to know but then what's the fix for those of us with 8 months of cold as the Arctic winters? Lol

 

[mfinn]

Ok nice to know but then what's the fix for those of us with 8 months of cold as the Arctic winters? Lol

I've read where people will run a air line to the outside from the skimmer air intake.

 

[NanaReefer]

I've read that too but have yet to see anyone who's done it. Would need to drill a hole through a wall. Sure ain't gonna crack my window open to run tubing out it-lol.

 

[tat2z_21]

Input into the skimmer is the best way of fixing this, which means that a permanent line would have to be installed. Or open the house for a few minutes a day just to refresh the oxygen levels.

 

[mfinn]

I've read that too but have yet to see anyone who's done it. Would need to drill a hole through a wall. Sure ain't gonna crack my window open to run tubing out it-lol.

I haven't actually seen it either, but I have read where people claimed they did.

 

[tat2z_21]

I just open my windows and doors long enough to let some fresh air in. I live in Arizona so I have the opposite during the summer my house is closed up tight. For the first month I watched as my PH kept getting lower and lower, then I started opening my doors for 10 minutes just to get a fresh mix of air in and it started to stabilize. My wife hates it though because it means the AC has to be kicked back on. Nothing like 118 degrees blasting through the house.