Normally I don't ever have this problem but the weather being what it is, I guess the air inside house is saturated with CO2. I was calibrating my new pH meter and it read 7.85 at lights out. Odd as I usually have a problem with high pH...my other pH meter agreed that was the right measurement. Other tanks sitting right around that pH as well. Decided to dose some saturated kalk. After 2 gallons, pH still will come back to that level. Don't want to raise alk anymore and I know the correct solution is to aerate the house. Should I bother to correct this or just look at this as a mixed blessing to dose kalk without pH effects.
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Should I bother raising pH?
- Thread starter calaxa
- Start date
Phyl,
You suggesting I stick a mangrove in there?
No my alk is already 10 in one system and 11 in other. Just 5 days ago, the pH was sitting at 8.3-8.5 so was very surprising to me to see 7.85 steady on all systems. Knew right away it was the inside air but doubly surprised kalk dosing was hardly moving it.
You suggesting I stick a mangrove in there?
No my alk is already 10 in one system and 11 in other. Just 5 days ago, the pH was sitting at 8.3-8.5 so was very surprising to me to see 7.85 steady on all systems. Knew right away it was the inside air but doubly surprised kalk dosing was hardly moving it.
Not a mangrove. A broad leafy plant in the room. Something like a peace lily or cast iron plant or chinese evergreen. Something with a lot of big green leaves.
calaxa said:
How critical is this? Since I hooked up my controller(sunday) I'm finding that my tank is hovering around the same. It's nice seeing a number now opposed to a color on the test kits where my interpretation of color was "close enough" so I rarely tested. I believe I have been in the area of 8 all of these years without a concrete number like I have now. I did however see 7.75 when I first calibrated and hooked up the controller so I added a little Mrs Wages and I'm staying around 7.95.
Seems like just a few points off to me, but just how far off is unacceptable and what are the consequences?
Taz
Too low and the corals will struggle to build a skeletin. To the point where it may actually dissolve under the flesh rather than build. It could be a problem. Where is that problem? I'm not sure. I'd prefer my PH up around 8.2, but it rarely is. Typically closer to 8. I've thought about bringing a hose in from outside for an airsource to the skimmer though!
blange3 said:So why didn't you just open the window and not waste everyone's time?
Cause it's freaking cold outside and I'd rather not spend money trying to heat the outside air. I think it's coming about from cooking. Usually always air out a bit but lately too cold for it.
I never had problems with lower pH before and still am in the range of NSW. Just wondered what other people's opinions were if they find themselves on the lower side of pH.
So back to my complciated suggestions, then!
Some folks attach airline tubing to the skimmer air inlet and run it ouside. Some folks setup an airpump outside as well. Not too complicated in my mind.
Cooking is one source of CO2. A dirty furnace is another.
I have to admit I'm a little confused by your initial response to my answer. ???
Some folks attach airline tubing to the skimmer air inlet and run it ouside. Some folks setup an airpump outside as well. Not too complicated in my mind.
Cooking is one source of CO2. A dirty furnace is another.
I have to admit I'm a little confused by your initial response to my answer. ???
Well higher is better (to a point, obviously). It helps the corals calcify more easily. But you'd need to actually change something to get there. It seemed that you were looking for advice on how to raise it, hence the suggestions (plants, external air source to the skimmer, etc).
If you were just looking for reassurance that you could run your tank there and not see any immediate problem then consider yourself reassured. But that wasn't really clear from your post!
If you were just looking for reassurance that you could run your tank there and not see any immediate problem then consider yourself reassured. But that wasn't really clear from your post!
calaxa said:
Well now you've got it! My 75 ran between 7.85 and 8.05 for weeks at a time. First nice day and I would air the house out. PH would rise instantly. What does the ph rise to during the day?
Keep an eye on growth and make sure ph doesn't go much lower. If you do use additives other than kalkwasser for Alk, try baking soda baked in an oven which converts it to soda ash, which will absorb CO2 when added.
But like Phyl pointed out, with your current Alk level, don't add anything extra that will change the balance you already have.
ps: Now I know how John feels Phyl! You beat me to the post!
Sorry bout that.
Well right now it's sitting at 7.85 at lowest point and 8.00 at peak (but most of the time it'll sit very very steady, even abnormally steady at 7.9). Before it was 8.3-8.6. I never trust instruments, that's why I have redundants. I have a controller now so I can monitor this instead of spot checking daily. I know I'll have a major change once the window does open and "regular" air comes back in.
Well right now it's sitting at 7.85 at lowest point and 8.00 at peak (but most of the time it'll sit very very steady, even abnormally steady at 7.9). Before it was 8.3-8.6. I never trust instruments, that's why I have redundants. I have a controller now so I can monitor this instead of spot checking daily. I know I'll have a major change once the window does open and "regular" air comes back in.