Reef Experts, I need help with PH - Page 2

jason2459 · 10/09/2015, 12:00 AM

No need to talk for him. Like you said he's commented about acceptable ranges and optimal ranges. But it is all ranges.

Just linked this in another pH thread.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/

He's also mentioned that as long as you're not in extremes you'll probably be fine. Using your eyes is a good test kit.

Also the advice of ignoring pH and just make sure alk is in line can be misleading and misdiagnosing a potential issue. Just because alk is in line doesn't mean pH is. Just because alk is high doesn't mean pH couldn't be too low. And just the opposite. As an example my alk was creeping up to a good 12-13 but my pH at one point was plummeting below 7.8. So, tell me again that I should ignore pH and just make sure to keep my alk in line. If I tried to adjust my alk down with out fixing my pH I could have done some bad damage to some corals.

Allentown · 10/09/2015, 01:03 PM

This is not a cherry picked momemt, this was a random screen capture I took from my phone just in replying to the thread.

CO2 scrubber. Daily water changes. Wet skimming. No dosing yet, only kalk in ato. 3 day filter sock rotations and 2 reactors (GAC and GFO).

Tank is too clean, going to have to increase feedings and cut back on water changes.

Weird problem......I'm sure it won't last.

Allentown · 10/09/2015, 01:05 PM

^^^^Image didn't attach.

jason2459 · 10/09/2015, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allentown

This is not a cherry picked momemt, this was a random screen capture I took from my phone just in replying to the thread.

CO2 scrubber. Daily water changes. Wet skimming. No dosing yet, only kalk in ato. 3 day filter sock rotations and 2 reactors (GAC and GFO).

Tank is too clean, going to have to increase feedings and cut back on water changes.

Weird problem......I'm sure it won't last.

That second part wasn't towards you but to many others that say just ignore pH and focus just on Alk. Generally that could be fine except for when it's not.

Bent · 10/09/2015, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jason2459

That second part wasn't towards you but to many others that say just ignore pH and focus just on Alk. Generally that could be fine except for when it's not.

IMO if your pH is low and your alk is where it's supposed to be, you got bigger problems on your hands.

I don't think you can dip down to less than 7.8 with an Alk of 10 with only a co2 retention problem. What was your issue?

jason2459 · 10/09/2015, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bent

IMO if your pH is low and your alk is where it's supposed to be, you got bigger problems on your hands.

I don't think you can dip down to less than 7.8 with an Alk of 10 with only a co2 retention problem. What was your issue?

I have no issues. And yes pH can dip that low and lower with higher Alk. My system has done it and I know of others that have as well.

Allentown · 10/09/2015, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bent

IMO if your pH is low and your alk is where it's supposed to be, you got bigger problems on your hands.

I don't think you can dip down to less than 7.8 with an Alk of 10 with only a co2 retention problem. What was your issue?

It can happen with basement aquariums, poor ventilation. I have seen it happen due to a house full of people exhaling CO2 like a Christmas party of super bowl party.

And as I mention, a couple hours of gas log fireplace and it will hit 7.8 Run it all day and you'll hit 7.5.

I am not even going to mention a Christmas party, WITH the gas logs on...on a very cold day where the house is shut up like a drum.....could probably do serious damage in just one day.

10/09/2015, 12:00 AM	#26
jason2459 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 9,671	No need to talk for him. Like you said he's commented about acceptable ranges and optimal ranges. But it is all ranges. Just linked this in another pH thread. http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/ He's also mentioned that as long as you're not in extremes you'll probably be fine. Using your eyes is a good test kit. Also the advice of ignoring pH and just make sure alk is in line can be misleading and misdiagnosing a potential issue. Just because alk is in line doesn't mean pH is. Just because alk is high doesn't mean pH couldn't be too low. And just the opposite. As an example my alk was creeping up to a good 12-13 but my pH at one point was plummeting below 7.8. So, tell me again that I should ignore pH and just make sure to keep my alk in line. If I tried to adjust my alk down with out fixing my pH I could have done some bad damage to some corals. __________________ rebuild and recovery log: No more red house, you'll have to click on my name and visit my homepage! You can check out my parameters at reeftronics dot net website and look for my username. Current Tank Info: 180g mixed reef w/ a beananimal overflow to a dolomite RRUGF. \| 20g long G. Smithii Mantis Tank Last edited by jason2459; 10/09/2015 at 12:15 AM.

10/09/2015, 01:03 PM	#27
Allentown Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Augusta, Ga Posts: 975	This is not a cherry picked momemt, this was a random screen capture I took from my phone just in replying to the thread. CO2 scrubber. Daily water changes. Wet skimming. No dosing yet, only kalk in ato. 3 day filter sock rotations and 2 reactors (GAC and GFO). Tank is too clean, going to have to increase feedings and cut back on water changes. Weird problem......I'm sure it won't last. __________________ NEW Build: 225g 72x27x27 Tigger Emerald 39 Sump, ConeS CO-3, 3xHydra 52, BRS 2 part dosers, Vortech MP-40 QD Gyre XF150, Neptune Wav x2, 2x Jaebo RW-4, SMR-1, MR-1