Why is my PH constantly dropping?

[spiderman097]

I'm running a Calcium reactor and a Kalkawassar Stirrer, but I can't seem to get my PH under control. A normal reef PH should be 8.3, but i'm sitting at 8.16-8.18 consistently. For the past 3 days I've had to dose to get my ph up, can anyone give me a clue on what's happening?

 

[hnguyen]

As long as it's stable you should be fine and just let it be. If it makes you feel better, my tank ph is always at 7.8 during the day and 7.7 at night. It's always been like that and I can't seem to bring it up. No I'll affects or stress that I can spot from any of my tank mates.


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[spiderman097]

Well that does make me feel better, but i think i've lost some live stock because of my ph

 

[lilrobb]

You lost livestock more likely because of the dosing swings...

 

[hnguyen]

LilRobb;658777 wrote: You lost livestock more likely because of the dosing swings...

+1. If it's swinging too much or too often then that will stress out your corals. I've haven't lost a coral yet due to my extremely low ph. I just keep an eye on it to make sure it's not swinging too much and thats it. I also run a calcium reactor.


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[tgray3]

A PH of 8.16 - 8.17 is fine, I'd leave it alone. You'll end up causing more problems than you'll cure if you start chasing a number.

 

[crazynemo]

Tight fitting lid? No fresh air to the tank?

 

[acroholic]

I don't see an issue with the pH numbers you are seeing. I'd look at your calcium, KH and magnesium levels, and if they are within normal limits then you are probably fine.

You might have a slighty lower pH in your tank because our houses get closed up at certain times of the year, like summer or winter, and there are higher CO2 levels in the air in our homes, which leads to more dissolved CO2 in the water, and a slightly lower pH, as CO2 combines with water to form carbonic acid in solution. This might get intoroduced mostly from your skimmer mixing air and water.

Some Members have used a CO2 scrubber in conjunction with their skimmer air intakes to remove CO2 before it enters the skimmer, and they get a tank pH bump for their efforts.

Here is a review of a manufactured unit: http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=43798&highlight=scrubber">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=43798&highlight=scrubber</a>

I think ARC Members Hnguyen and JEF4Y have DIY units they made themselves. You might PM them for information.

 

[hnguyen]

Yea Dave is right and I did do a DIY a LOOOONGGG time ago about a scrubber. No one was interested except for JEF4Y so he and I split a bucket of the stuff and it brought my ph from 7.8 up to 8.2 during day and night with about a .05 swing in ph between day and night. My ph is low again because I ran out of the soda lime and my house has 5 people leaving in it with all doors and windows seal tight! It got worst when I resealed my doors and windows to make then more energy friendly, but now it's not being friendly with my tank. You can get a full 5 gallon bucket of soda lime for about $75 and I'll be happy to go in and split a bucket with you. PM me if you want more info on how to make one of these.

Acroholic;658947 wrote: I don't see an issue with the pH numbers you are seeing. I'd look at your calcium, KH and magnesium levels, and if they are within normal limits then you are probably fine.

You might have a slighty lower pH in your tank because our houses get closed up at certain times of the year, like summer or winter, and there are higher CO2 levels in the air in our homes, which leads to more dissolved CO2 in the water, and a slightly lower pH, as CO2 combines with water to form carbonic acid in solution. This might get intoroduced mostly from your skimmer mixing air and water.

Some Members have used a CO2 scrubber in conjunction with their skimmer air intakes to remove CO2 before it enters the skimmer, and they get a tank pH bump for their efforts.

Here is a review of a manufactured unit: http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=43798&highlight=scrubber">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=43798&highlight=scrubber</a>

I think ARC Members Hnguyen and JEF4Y have DIY units they made themselves. You might PM them for information.[/QUOTE]

 

[spiderman097]

yea, i'd be interested in building something

 

[crazynemo]

Want to keep a steady Ph, extend your air hose for skimmer out a window. Let it get fresh air, never have another problem.

 

[hnguyen]

crazynemo;659021 wrote: Want to keep a steady Ph, extend your air hose for skimmer out a window. Let it get fresh air, never have another problem.

You have to be careful doing that depending on where you leave. If you live in an area with high smog alert then it can draw in that pollution and harm your tank. If you plan to do that then you have to run that airline tubing through a carbon chamber so it can filter out that air.