pH Drops Cuz Everyone's Home - But... Pollen Season

[bzb]

Temp: 78
Alk: 8.7
Ca: 440
Mg: 1380
Nitrate: 0
Phosphate: 0.10 ppm

I've been noticing my tank hovering at 7.6 (normally 7.8-7.9) and dropping in the afternoons to as low as 7.4 on my Hanna probe.

Only noticeable issue is my hammer coral is not happy. Not dying, but it's nowhere near as open as it used to be. Granted, this could be due to my phosphate battle, but I'm sure the pH isn't helping.

I know we can battle this pH drop by opening some windows, or even possibly a CO2 scrubber (which still would require fresh air, wouldn't it?) - but opening windows while the pollen count is over 7000 seems risky to my family with asthma.

So... what now? What creative ways are y'all getting fresh air into your quarantined home?

 

[bigd]

A fresh air intake for your skimmer would help. Pretty simple to set up, I’ve used the larger diameter RO type tubing before. Connect one end to the air intake on the silencer for the skimmer, and ran the other end to a window that was barely open. I put a piece of foam between the window and the window frame to keep anything else from coming in.

 

[schwaggs]

I fight low pH on my system too. Largly due to closed home syndrome, but aggrivated by calcium reactor usage. These are the things I have tried and my opinion on value:

1) Opening a window - this is very effective but impractical for the reason you mention
2) Plumb skimmer air intake outdoors - little to zero impact on my system
3) Maximize CA reactor potency (lowering pH in reactor) to allow slower drip rate - effective
4) Kalk Reactor - by far the most effective method I have used

Without the Kalk reactor, my pH naturally runs around 7.8. With controlled Kalk reactor dosing, my pH runs 8.2 to 8.3

I've been tempted to try the CO2 scrubber but since my Kalk reactor is working so well, I don't see the need. If you try one, I beleive you will want to pull air from outside to slow the exhaustion of the media.

I also toyed with the idea of a Energy Recovery Ventilator which would help your tank AND your family but again, never pulled the trigger since the Kalk reactor is working for me.

 

[lshin037]

The CO2 scrubber doesnt require fresh air. Mine is setup as a closed loop (air from skimmer cup). This supposedly makes the media last longer because it's only taking in CO2 from the tank and gets moist air. My media lasts about 10 days.

BTW...regarding your phosphates... are you using any type of nutrient transport? If your phosphates are high but nitrates are low, you may be nitrate limited. Im using a turf scrubber and had to dose nitrates to get my phosphates down.

 

[bzb]

I fight low pH on my system too. Largly due to closed home syndrome, but aggrivated by calcium reactor usage. These are the things I have tried and my opinion on value:

1) Opening a window - this is very effective but impractical for the reason you mention
2) Plumb skimmer air intake outdoors - little to zero impact on my system
3) Maximize CA reactor potency (lowering pH in reactor) to allow slower drip rate - effective
4) Kalk Reactor - by far the most effective method I have used

Without the Kalk reactor, my pH naturally runs around 7.8. With controlled Kalk reactor dosing, my pH runs 8.2 to 8.3

I've been tempted to try the CO2 scrubber but since my Kalk reactor is working so well, I don't see the need. If you try one, I beleive you will want to pull air from outside to slow the exhaustion of the media.

I also toyed with the idea of a Energy Recovery Ventilator which would help your tank AND your family but again, never pulled the trigger since the Kalk reactor is working for me.

Ah the old kalk variable thrown in! LOL

I actually turned up my 2-part dosing a bit, so I’m running closer to 9dkh instead of 8.2 (currently at 8.7 and rising every couple days). The montis sure are happy about this, but I’m not seeing any significant rise in pH to go along with the alk rising.

The air intake would actually be pretty easy, and I considered this when we were talking about adding doors to my office. But unfortunately, it’s a little risky to home security.

Unless I take a drill to my walls... and bricks... Hmmmmmm

The CO2 scrubber doesnt require fresh air. Mine is setup as a closed loop (air from skimmer cup). This supposedly makes the media last longer because it's only taking in CO2 from the tank and gets moist air. My media lasts about 10 days.

BTW...regarding your phosphates... are you using any type of nutrient transport? If your phosphates are high but nitrates are low, you may be nitrate limited. Im using a turf scrubber and had to dose nitrates to get my phosphates down.

Exactly what I’m doing - dosing nitrates to try to get it in balance. I’m pulling out about a baseball size of chaeto every two weeks.

Interesting on the scrubber, but makes total sense. Is there a small footprint reactor that I might be able to rig up in my limited sump space?

 

[lshin037]

Interesting on the scrubber, but makes total sense. Is there a small footprint reactor that I might be able to rig up in my limited sump space?

I use a BRS reactor that’s mounted inside the stand. Not sure how much space you have in your sump area but you can always route the reactor outside the sump area. That would make it easier to change the media too


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bigd]

The air intake would actually be pretty easy, and I considered this when we were talking about adding doors to my office. But unfortunately, it’s a little risky to home security.

I say do a short trial run while you’re home to see if it helps or not. Like you mentioned, it’s easy. Give it a shot for 12hrs or so. If it doesn’t help, then so be it. If it does, then move towards a more permanent install.

 

[lshin037]

What are you using for your alk portion of your 2-part? I've used sodium hydroxide in the past and that got my ph high