PH Swing

rdnyva · 07/23/2006, 12:20 PM

My PH is 8.14 first thing in the morning. Goes steadily down to 7.98 at 4:30 PM. Then rises steadily to 8.20 at 10:30 PM when all lights go off. This is a pattern I have been following for a few days. The tank is two months old, photoperiod: T5s on from 10Am to 10PM, MHs from 4:30 to 9:30 PM. Fuge is lit from 10PM to 10AM, reverse of T5s. Is this too much of a PH swing? Any suggestions to minimize/correct it. Thanks

Params Ammo: O
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0
Calcium:460
ALK: 9

Billybeau1 · 07/23/2006, 12:31 PM

Likely photosynthisis is driving your ph up. You could drip limewater (kalkwasser) from say lights off till about 430pm until your halides kick in.

rdnyva · 07/23/2006, 01:22 PM

Thanks, is a swing of .2 during a 24 hour period something I should be concerned about or is it pretty normal?

Billybeau1 · 07/23/2006, 01:25 PM

Ideally you would like to minimize it but .2 over 24 hrs shouldnt hurt anything.

rdnyva · 07/23/2006, 01:28 PM

Thanks again. Do you think the immaturity of the tank has anything to do with PH instabiity? That's why I originally mentioned the tank is almoist 2 months old.

Billybeau1 · 07/23/2006, 01:36 PM

I dont think so. Many of us have pH swings like that. I do and my tank has been up for 7 years. Give this a read when you have time.

What your grandmother never told you about lime.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.htm

whatevva · 07/23/2006, 01:55 PM

Even though I don't think the swing is that bad, I hate seeing anything below a Ph of 8.1. I usually look at the Alk first. You said that you have a reading of 9 dkh. What test kits are you using?

rdnyva · 07/23/2006, 03:03 PM

Salifert test kit. That's why I was concerned. ALK is OK, but PH below 8.1 I know is not good, although it's just for a short period of time.

One other note: PH is measured by a Pinpoint PH Monitor, which was calibrated 5 days ago. I just ordered a Salifert PH test it just to compare and ensure I'm getting a true PH reading.

Billybeau1 · 07/23/2006, 03:10 PM

I really wouldnt be too concerned until your pH gets below 7.9

Excessive CO2 is driving your ph down. Not much you can do about that this time of year. Like I said, dripping limewater at night will level you out.

rdnyva · 07/23/2006, 06:01 PM

OK, Thanks

reefshadow · 07/23/2006, 06:50 PM

If you aren't already, running your fuge light schedule opposite from your display can also help.

rdnyva · 07/24/2006, 05:51 AM

Yes, as I've said I run the fuge on an opposite schedule from the T5s (T5s from 10AM to 10PM, fuge 10PM to 10AM and I'm using the bulb that Melev recommends from Home depot as I've had good success with it in the past). The opposite fuge lighting may be helping but I can't tell unless I alter the schedule and I don;t want to risk making things worse. I've just started Randy's 2 part additive, so maybe that will also help. Thanks for your interest and input.

07/23/2006, 12:20 PM	#1
rdnyva Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,106	PH Swing My PH is 8.14 first thing in the morning. Goes steadily down to 7.98 at 4:30 PM. Then rises steadily to 8.20 at 10:30 PM when all lights go off. This is a pattern I have been following for a few days. The tank is two months old, photoperiod: T5s on from 10Am to 10PM, MHs from 4:30 to 9:30 PM. Fuge is lit from 10PM to 10AM, reverse of T5s. Is this too much of a PH swing? Any suggestions to minimize/correct it. Thanks Params Ammo: O Nitrite: 0 Nitrate: 0 Calcium:460 ALK: 9 __________________ 150 gal mixed reef Apex Lite 2 - MP40 QD Vertex Omega 180i Skimmer ReefBreeders Photon 50 V2

07/23/2006, 01:22 PM	#3
rdnyva Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,106	Thanks, is a swing of .2 during a 24 hour period something I should be concerned about or is it pretty normal? __________________ 150 gal mixed reef Apex Lite 2 - MP40 QD Vertex Omega 180i Skimmer ReefBreeders Photon 50 V2

07/23/2006, 01:28 PM	#5
rdnyva Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,106	Thanks again. Do you think the immaturity of the tank has anything to do with PH instabiity? That's why I originally mentioned the tank is almoist 2 months old. __________________ 150 gal mixed reef Apex Lite 2 - MP40 QD Vertex Omega 180i Skimmer ReefBreeders Photon 50 V2

07/23/2006, 03:03 PM	#8
rdnyva Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,106	Salifert test kit. That's why I was concerned. ALK is OK, but PH below 8.1 I know is not good, although it's just for a short period of time. One other note: PH is measured by a Pinpoint PH Monitor, which was calibrated 5 days ago. I just ordered a Salifert PH test it just to compare and ensure I'm getting a true PH reading. __________________ 150 gal mixed reef Apex Lite 2 - MP40 QD Vertex Omega 180i Skimmer ReefBreeders Photon 50 V2

07/23/2006, 06:01 PM	#10
rdnyva Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,106	OK, Thanks __________________ 150 gal mixed reef Apex Lite 2 - MP40 QD Vertex Omega 180i Skimmer ReefBreeders Photon 50 V2

07/23/2006, 12:31 PM	#2
Billybeau1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dyer, Indiana Posts: 12,010	Likely photosynthisis is driving your ph up. You could drip limewater (kalkwasser) from say lights off till about 430pm until your halides kick in.

07/23/2006, 01:25 PM	#4
Billybeau1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dyer, Indiana Posts: 12,010	Ideally you would like to minimize it but .2 over 24 hrs shouldnt hurt anything.

07/23/2006, 01:36 PM	#6
Billybeau1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dyer, Indiana Posts: 12,010	I dont think so. Many of us have pH swings like that. I do and my tank has been up for 7 years. Give this a read when you have time. What your grandmother never told you about lime. http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.htm

07/23/2006, 01:55 PM	#7
whatevva Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 37	Even though I don't think the swing is that bad, I hate seeing anything below a Ph of 8.1. I usually look at the Alk first. You said that you have a reading of 9 dkh. What test kits are you using?

07/23/2006, 03:10 PM	#9
Billybeau1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dyer, Indiana Posts: 12,010	I really wouldnt be too concerned until your pH gets below 7.9 Excessive CO2 is driving your ph down. Not much you can do about that this time of year. Like I said, dripping limewater at night will level you out.

07/23/2006, 06:50 PM	#11
reefshadow Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Central Washington Posts: 1,786	If you aren't already, running your fuge light schedule opposite from your display can also help. __________________ All Your Coral Are Belong To Us Current Tank Info: 30 Deep Blue shallow mixed rimless, MP10, Ecoxotic LED's, SCA 301 skimmer.

07/24/2006, 05:51 AM	#12
rdnyva Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,106	Yes, as I've said I run the fuge on an opposite schedule from the T5s (T5s from 10AM to 10PM, fuge 10PM to 10AM and I'm using the bulb that Melev recommends from Home depot as I've had good success with it in the past). The opposite fuge lighting may be helping but I can't tell unless I alter the schedule and I don;t want to risk making things worse. I've just started Randy's 2 part additive, so maybe that will also help. Thanks for your interest and input. __________________ 150 gal mixed reef Apex Lite 2 - MP40 QD Vertex Omega 180i Skimmer ReefBreeders Photon 50 V2