Can't Keep it Up. . . (pH)

NaClH2ODave · 12/16/2011, 01:06 PM

All water parameters look good: Magnesium - 1375, dKh - 10.5, Calcium - 420, but pH won't go above 8.0 Tried increasing light duration to 12 hours for actinics and 8 hours for 10K's. Sump is covered and DT is 1/2 covered. Any ideas?

Allmost · 12/16/2011, 01:12 PM

Global Warming !!!

high CO2 build up under canopy/cover.

increase water movement, remove the cover or at least tilt it so some air can get in.

if that doesnt help, then you might also need to crack a window open to let the co2 out.

is that 8 at higest ? or lowest ? mine runs from 7.7-8.1 ... but my KH is 7.0 [PH depends on co2, salinity, temp, KH, atmospheric pressure]

biecacka · 12/16/2011, 01:23 PM

mine stays right around 7.75-7.9. i live in an apartment so i crack window from time to time to release the co2. what target number do u shoot for?
increasing water movement will help? that is good to know as i have considered another pump for my tank
corey

Allmost · 12/16/2011, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biecacka

mine stays right around 7.75-7.9. i live in an apartment so i crack window from time to time to release the co2. what target number do u shoot for?
increasing water movement will help? that is good to know as i have considered another pump for my tank
corey

air exchange takes place at the surface of water, so the more its broken basically the more air exchange that takes place, to put it in simple terms.

here is the calculator for Equilibrium PH.
http://www.hamzasreef.com/Contents/C...ilibriumPh.php
in case of OP, with Dkh of 10.5, co2 normal lets assume, at 35 PPT and 80 degrees F at sealevel, the PH should be 8.3

ryeguyy84 · 12/16/2011, 03:16 PM

run an airline from your skimmer to the outdoors. . . does wonders.

only problem is during the winter time condensation might occur.

Allmost · 12/16/2011, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryeguyy84

run an airline from your skimmer to the outdoors. . . does wonders.

only problem is during the winter time condensation might occur.

I would use co2scrubber instead of that ... or at least a carbon filter for air if you are going to pull in air from outside, specially since most condos are in city and most cities have dirty air ...

all that needs to happen is one of the neighbours spray for a bug killer or ... lol

ryeguyy84 · 12/16/2011, 07:28 PM

Yeah forgot to mention that, I use an aqualifter prefilter filled with carbon

sporto0 · 12/16/2011, 08:10 PM

Don't worry so much about it, a ph of 8.0 is well within the acceptable range. Have you noticed a negative reaction from your corals or livestock? Alkalinity is far more important parameter.

Woja222 · 12/16/2011, 09:46 PM

Im with ryeguyy84! The airline from the nipple on the skimmer works amazing! And keeps it from getting clogged with salt creep.

Steve175 · 12/16/2011, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sporto0

Don't worry so much about it, a ph of 8.0 is well within the acceptable range. Have you noticed a negative reaction from your corals or livestock? Alkalinity is far more important parameter.

+1. Don't sweat a PH > 7.8 as long as Alk and Ca+2 are WNL are your are.

Steve175 · 12/16/2011, 10:06 PM

Certainly, don't correct it.

erayk1 · 12/17/2011, 12:14 PM

I agree that it is fine where it is, especially if it is stable at 8.

biecacka · 12/17/2011, 01:57 PM

yeah I'm stable at 7.81 and if i open windows while I'm home it creeps up. maybe ill turn my return up a wee bit more on the surface to agitate the water surface...
corey

12/16/2011, 01:06 PM	#1
NaClH2ODave Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Upland, CA Posts: 101	Can't Keep it Up. . . (pH) All water parameters look good: Magnesium - 1375, dKh - 10.5, Calcium - 420, but pH won't go above 8.0 Tried increasing light duration to 12 hours for actinics and 8 hours for 10K's. Sump is covered and DT is 1/2 covered. Any ideas?

12/16/2011, 07:28 PM	#7
ryeguyy84 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,753	Yeah forgot to mention that, I use an aqualifter prefilter filled with carbon __________________ Current tank: 90G mixed reef. Current Tank Info: 90 gallon

12/16/2011, 10:06 PM	#11
Steve175 Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 1,186	Certainly, don't correct it. __________________ Steve ---------------------------------- Current Tank Info: 2 separate 250G bowfront rimless ELOS tanks plumbed to 260G sump, 220G refugium, 220G frag, BK DeLuxe 300, 400W MH x4, closed loops, 3/4hp chiller x2, Phos reactor, Kalk reactor, Charcoal reactor, Ca reactor, 60G surge tanks, & a huge elec bill

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12/16/2011, 01:12 PM	#2
Allmost Moved On Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: canada, toronto Posts: 8,161	Global Warming !!! high CO2 build up under canopy/cover. increase water movement, remove the cover or at least tilt it so some air can get in. if that doesnt help, then you might also need to crack a window open to let the co2 out. is that 8 at higest ? or lowest ? mine runs from 7.7-8.1 ... but my KH is 7.0 [PH depends on co2, salinity, temp, KH, atmospheric pressure]

12/16/2011, 01:23 PM	#3
biecacka Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Columbus Ohio Posts: 6,361	mine stays right around 7.75-7.9. i live in an apartment so i crack window from time to time to release the co2. what target number do u shoot for? increasing water movement will help? that is good to know as i have considered another pump for my tank corey

12/16/2011, 03:16 PM	#5
ryeguyy84 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,753	run an airline from your skimmer to the outdoors. . . does wonders. only problem is during the winter time condensation might occur.

12/16/2011, 08:10 PM	#8
sporto0 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa. Posts: 2,924	Don't worry so much about it, a ph of 8.0 is well within the acceptable range. Have you noticed a negative reaction from your corals or livestock? Alkalinity is far more important parameter.

12/16/2011, 09:46 PM	#9
Woja222 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 532	Im with ryeguyy84! The airline from the nipple on the skimmer works amazing! And keeps it from getting clogged with salt creep.

12/17/2011, 12:14 PM	#12
erayk1 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Iowa City Posts: 61	I agree that it is fine where it is, especially if it is stable at 8.

12/17/2011, 01:57 PM	#13
biecacka Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Columbus Ohio Posts: 6,361	yeah I'm stable at 7.81 and if i open windows while I'm home it creeps up. maybe ill turn my return up a wee bit more on the surface to agitate the water surface... corey