Low pH...cyano?

Fish_King_25 · 01/19/2014, 06:24 PM

Hi all,

I've been battling cyano for about a month now, and I believe finally figured out what is going on. I just replaced 10 month old T5 bulbs, and originally believed that could be the main source of my problem. Today I tested my PH (don't normally as I have an open top and have never seen it budge in years when I do occasionally test) and it is 7.4...for weeks my coral have only slightly opened, probably due to the drop in Kh as I've now figured out..my question is...could the drop in pH have been the reason for my cyano outbreak??

Also, I believe I've figured out why the PH dropped without any outside factor... Same rodi..same C02 levels..no top..stable params..regular water changes..etc...but I've added a good amount of coral within the last couple months..could my tank finally be at the point of requiring dosing ?? And that is why things seem nuts all of a sudden out of no where??

oscarinw · 01/19/2014, 07:14 PM

It's possible the addition of corals is driving down your alk and your calcium provoking a dive on PH. I'd say test for both and see where you are and see how much it drops in a week or 2 and take it from there.

Fish_King_25 · 01/19/2014, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oscarinw

It's possible the addition of corals is driving down your alk and your calcium provoking a dive on PH. I'd say test for both and see where you are and see how much it drops in a week or 2 and take it from there.

I tested Alk right after and it was at around 10...calcium was 400...I guess I'll have to start keeping an eye on things... you can definitely tell all the coral are like 60% open... I'm going to pickup some kalk this week just in case, and prepare as it seems the time is coming where I'll have to start dosing!

Pife · 01/19/2014, 08:15 PM

What are your phosphates at? I have found that when mine start to creep up so will the cyano. I have also read that low mag may have something to do with cyano.

Fish_King_25 · 01/19/2014, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pife

What are your phosphates at? I have found that when mine start to creep up so will the cyano. I have also read that low mag may have something to do with cyano.

Phosphates are less than. 025...trace amounts... didn't test mag though, I'll have to check that tomorrow

slfCaptain · 01/19/2014, 09:24 PM

Did you test for nitrates? Just curious where its at.

Fish_King_25 · 01/19/2014, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pife

What are your phosphates at? I have found that when mine start to creep up so will the cyano. I have also read that low mag may have something to do with cyano.

Yes, they were 0. Every other parameter was spot on except for a low Ph and Alk. Then I tested Calc and that was at 400. I do regular water changes, and can only figure that my coral are using these nutrients faster than I am supplying them via water changes, and I just didn't figure that that to be the case. Alk dropped, pH dropped, and I could definitely tell my coral weren't happy. I just wonder if the low pH/Alk has any relation to my cyano out break

PeTe PoLyP · 01/19/2014, 09:31 PM

I'm currently battling low ph. I just received my apex and my Ph was 7.6 on the high side of day 1, 7.27 low side. I have no cyano so I don't really think that's your problem. I have brought it up to 8.26 in 2 days on the high side. All I did was open the windows in the room. today I noticed that polyp extension has improved tremendously. If you have a skimmer (I don't) try running the air intake out a window. I hope this helps.

Fish_King_25 · 01/19/2014, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeTe PoLyP

I'm currently battling low ph. I just received my apex and my Ph was 7.6 on the high side of day 1, 7.27 low side. I have no cyano so I don't really think that's your problem. I have brought it up to 8.26 in 2 days on the high side. All I did was open the windows in the room. today I noticed that polyp extension has improved tremendously. If you have a skimmer (I don't) try running the air intake out a window. I hope this helps.

Thanks for the insight. I never have my window open, and the door to that room is always closed, the cabinets to the sump are always shut also so my skimmer air intake definitely doesn't have the "freshest" air. I'll have to try something out with that, maybe leave the cabinet doors open when I'm not home or something will help..I'm hoping within the next 2-3 days I'll see a huge improvement of polyp extension myself. I'm also going to test Mg tomorrow and see if that is low as well

PeTe PoLyP · 01/19/2014, 10:17 PM

I use gas heat and the house has a high CO² level. I was amazed as I watched my Ph rise when I opened the window next to the tank.

Fish_King_25 · 01/20/2014, 09:10 PM

I wonder if my CO2 levels could be that high..idk what the hell it could be, as of right now I'm going with the fact that I may need to start dosing some supplements..with all of my equipment and parameters, the only thing that makes sense could be that my coral are absorbing more nutrients than my water changes are replenishing, which caused my pH to drop

01/19/2014, 06:24 PM	#1
Fish_King_25 Reef Addict Join Date: May 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 826	Low pH...cyano? Hi all, I've been battling cyano for about a month now, and I believe finally figured out what is going on. I just replaced 10 month old T5 bulbs, and originally believed that could be the main source of my problem. Today I tested my PH (don't normally as I have an open top and have never seen it budge in years when I do occasionally test) and it is 7.4...for weeks my coral have only slightly opened, probably due to the drop in Kh as I've now figured out..my question is...could the drop in pH have been the reason for my cyano outbreak?? Also, I believe I've figured out why the PH dropped without any outside factor... Same rodi..same C02 levels..no top..stable params..regular water changes..etc...but I've added a good amount of coral within the last couple months..could my tank finally be at the point of requiring dosing ?? And that is why things seem nuts all of a sudden out of no where?? __________________ ~Kenny~ 29g mixed reef lps, sps, and softies, 10g sump/fuge, cadlights pls-100 skimmer, LifeReef overflow with Mag 7 return pump, Tunze ATO, 2 Koralias, 4x24w T5HO ATIs w/ moonlight LEDs Current Tank Info: Green Chromis, Yellow Clown Goby, Green Mandarin, Diamond Goby, Percula Clown, and CUC

01/19/2014, 09:24 PM	#6
slfCaptain Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hummelstown Pa, USA Posts: 101	Did you test for nitrates? Just curious where its at. __________________ -Steve Current Tank Info: RSM 130

01/20/2014, 09:10 PM	#11
Fish_King_25 Reef Addict Join Date: May 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 826	I wonder if my CO2 levels could be that high..idk what the hell it could be, as of right now I'm going with the fact that I may need to start dosing some supplements..with all of my equipment and parameters, the only thing that makes sense could be that my coral are absorbing more nutrients than my water changes are replenishing, which caused my pH to drop __________________ ~Kenny~ 29g mixed reef lps, sps, and softies, 10g sump/fuge, cadlights pls-100 skimmer, LifeReef overflow with Mag 7 return pump, Tunze ATO, 2 Koralias, 4x24w T5HO ATIs w/ moonlight LEDs Current Tank Info: Green Chromis, Yellow Clown Goby, Green Mandarin, Diamond Goby, Percula Clown, and CUC

01/19/2014, 07:14 PM	#2
oscarinw Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Western Massachusetts Posts: 1,091	It's possible the addition of corals is driving down your alk and your calcium provoking a dive on PH. I'd say test for both and see where you are and see how much it drops in a week or 2 and take it from there.

01/19/2014, 08:15 PM	#4
Pife Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 7,408	What are your phosphates at? I have found that when mine start to creep up so will the cyano. I have also read that low mag may have something to do with cyano.

01/19/2014, 09:31 PM	#8
PeTe PoLyP Registered Member. Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: under the sea Posts: 381	I'm currently battling low ph. I just received my apex and my Ph was 7.6 on the high side of day 1, 7.27 low side. I have no cyano so I don't really think that's your problem. I have brought it up to 8.26 in 2 days on the high side. All I did was open the windows in the room. today I noticed that polyp extension has improved tremendously. If you have a skimmer (I don't) try running the air intake out a window. I hope this helps.

01/19/2014, 10:17 PM	#10
PeTe PoLyP Registered Member. Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: under the sea Posts: 381	I use gas heat and the house has a high CO² level. I was amazed as I watched my Ph rise when I opened the window next to the tank.