Am I chasing a red herring?

ReeferRN · Apr 10, 2020

Hi all while I am not brand new to the hobby this is my first thread so if there is already a thread on this please let me know.
My current 125 gallon build is the biggest i have ever had. When starting I decided to go with an Apex EL which has probes for Ph and Temp. In my previous tank (30 gal nano), I would check my levels at least weekly and never had a problem with my Ph, however now that I have a probe that constantly monitors this parameter i have notices that it never goes above 8.1~. My question to you all is am I chasing a red herring and worrying about something that is not an issue. I haven't added any corals yet but plan to do soft and lps only.

The tank has only been up since late February and here is its info:
Tank 125 gal
Sump 30 gal
Lifegard Aquatics Quiet One Pro 4000 return pump (1022 gph)
Hydro Koralia 3G 2450 gph Powerheads X 2
AI Prime 16 HD X 2
RSK 600 Internal Skimmer
BRS Carbon reactor running Carbon & GFO
30 lbs of dry rock and cured from from my previous tank
Split 8X8X4 Marine Pure Block in sump
1 box of Marine Pure 1 1/2 in spheres under filter sock

Levels since 4/1/20
Calcium 440 to 465 testing with Hanna Checker
Alk 11.5 to 12.2 testing with Hanna Checker
Sal 1.025
Ph 7.46 to 8.1~ per Apex Probe

I do a 15 to 20 gal water change weekly

Currently stock
Maroon Clown X 1
Lawnmower Goby X 1
3 Stripe Damsels X 2
Scissor Tail Damsels X 2
Cleaner shrimp x 1 it molted yesterday
Chocolate chip star fish X 1

Thanks for the help in advance, and you all have been a great help in the past as I have been reading this forum for years. Yes, I know i have a hair algae issue right now, and i am working on it.

Copingwithpods · Apr 10, 2020

In short, yes. A pH of 8.1 is fine. The problem with constant monitoring is you are now aware of the natural pH swing throughout the day. In your 30g believe me it swung harder than that. I have a 30g and have checked pH maybe once. It will go up during the day and down at night. A reverse light cycle refugium will help to smooth that out but it will always fluctuate. Some awesome reefs on here don't stray far from 7.6-7.9. Don't pay attention so much to the swings as to the actual values. If your tank is happy at 7.8 at night and 8.1 mid day that's fine and remember that. If it starts reading alot lower then and only then do you start paying attention.

ReeferRN · Apr 10, 2020

Copingwithpods said:
In short, yes. A pH of 8.1 is fine. The problem with constant monitoring is you are now aware of the natural pH swing throughout the day. In your 30g believe me it swung harder than that. I have a 30g and have checked pH maybe once. It will go up during the day and down at night. A reverse light cycle refugium will help to smooth that out but it will always fluctuate. Some awesome reefs on here don't stray far from 7.6-7.9. Don't pay attention so much to the swings as to the actual values. If your tank is happy at 7.8 at night and 8.1 mid day that's fine and remember that. If it starts reading alot lower then and only then do you start paying attention.

Thanks so much, i thought i was but just needed someone to say so.