Can macro pull co2 lowering ph

[jgaroppo]

I have a question about ph and macro algae in refugium in my reef tank. I was wondering by letting my chato grow too much without trimming if it would cause my ph to drop some because it’s consuming co2 in my tank. Thanks ahead of time.

 

[P-Dub]

I have a question about ph and macro algae in refugium in my reef tank. I was wondering by letting my chato grow too much without trimming if it would cause my ph to drop some because it’s consuming co2 in my tank. Thanks ahead of time.

I doubt it, depending on your tank size. I have a 125 and routinely trim 5 gallons worth of chaeto outta my 11-gallon refugium with no appreciable change in co2 levels in my system.

 

[Gatorpa]

I have a question about ph and macro algae in refugium in my reef tank. I was wondering by letting my chato grow too much without trimming if it would cause my ph to drop some because it’s consuming co2 in my tank. Thanks ahead of time.

I may be misunderstanding the question. The lower the about of CO2 the higher the pH. So if the chato was consuming the CO2 the pH will rise. that’s a big part of why people run their refug on a reverse light cycle.

 

[jgaroppo]

Okay so I have low ph in my tank, 7.8…. I was contributing that to low co2 from what I was told. Started thinking that my chato is a plant and plants need co2 to grow but actually plants produce c02 sorry I had a brain fart lll. Okay so why would my ph be low then and how do I bring it up?

 

[Gatorpa]

Okay so I have low ph in my tank, 7.8…. I was contributing that to low co2 from what I was told. Started thinking that my chato is a plant and plants need co2 to grow but actually plants produce c02 sorry I had a brain fart lll. Okay so why would my ph be low then and how do I bring it up?

Low pH can have may causes.
What are your other parameters?

Increase flow can help off gas CO2, more photosynthesis increases the pH.
What’s your DkH and how do you dose alk and Ca+

what’s the max/min pH. when during the photo period is it 7.8

 

[jgaroppo]

Okay so I have low ph in my tank, 7.8…. I was contributing that to low co2 from what I was told. Started thinking that my chato is a plant and plants need co2 to grow but actually plants produce c02 sorry I had a brain fart lll. Okay so why would my ph be low then and how do I bring it up?

No plants produce oxygen not c02 lol

 

[jgaroppo]

My alk is at a steady 8.3-8.4 the last few weeks finally after many adjustments. My mag is at 1380 and my calc is at 460. My phosphates fluctuate a lot rifht now at .21 as of last night. For some reason I cannot keep them down and not sure why. I have a Red Sea 525 xl and 3 radions. And 4 t5 bulbs. My protein skimmer is a large Diablo on a platform and I cannot get the dang thing to produce a steady skim for the life of me and I’m not sure why. One sag it produces great skim and the next it’s producing to dark skim and not creating enough. I have a few issues and I’m not sure what to contribute then too. A few weeks ago my phosphates were at .39 and was able to pull them down to .02 now there back home to .21. I do a 10 gal water change a week and add 10ml of bacteria the micro-lift special blend. I also have a reactor connected to my skimmer with media that’s supposed to help the ph as well. It was exhausted and I replaced it today so hoping that will help.

 

[jgaroppo]

Low pH can have may causes.
What are your other parameters?

Increase flow can help off gas CO2, more photosynthesis increases the pH.
What’s your DkH and how do you dose alk and Ca+

what’s the max/min pH. when during the photo period is it 7.8

Uh and I run 2 Nero 5’s at 75 percent and 2 3’s at 30%. I feel like I Have too much flow sometimes.

 

[HuduVudu]

@jgaroppo the most likely cause if your pH problem is the ambient CO2 levels in the room that the aquarium is in. The best way to test this is to get a monitor. IMO monitors are one of the most important pieces of test equipment you can own.

Knowing your ambient CO2 over the course of the day will help you decide if CO2 is contributing to your pH problems and by what degree.

 

[Gatorpa]

My alk is at a steady 8.3-8.4 the last few weeks finally after many adjustments. My mag is at 1380 and my calc is at 460. My phosphates fluctuate a lot rifht now at .21 as of last night. For some reason I cannot keep them down and not sure why. I have a Red Sea 525 xl and 3 radions. And 4 t5 bulbs. My protein skimmer is a large Diablo on a platform and I cannot get the dang thing to produce a steady skim for the life of me and I’m not sure why. One sag it produces great skim and the next it’s producing to dark skim and not creating enough. I have a few issues and I’m not sure what to contribute then too. A few weeks ago my phosphates were at .39 and was able to pull them down to .02 now there back home to .21. I do a 10 gal water change a week and add 10ml of bacteria the micro-lift special blend. I also have a reactor connected to my skimmer with media that’s supposed to help the ph as well. It was exhausted and I replaced it today so hoping that will help.

Sounds good.
what’s the max pH at peak light cycle?

 

[Gatorpa]

@jgaroppo the most likely cause if your pH problem is the ambient CO2 levels in the room that the aquarium is in. The best way to test this is to get a monitor. IMO monitors are one of the most important pieces of test equipment you can own.

Knowing your ambient CO2 over the course of the day will help you decide if CO2 is contributing to your pH problems and by what degree.

I’m looking into getting one of these. any suggestions?

 

[Chrisv.]

No plants produce oxygen not c02 lol

Plants produce oxygen in daylight and CO2 at night.

 

[HuduVudu]

I’m looking into getting one of these. any suggestions?

They all run the same method of testing so the are all pretty much the same. I wouldn't get the high end testers because IMO the other measurements (PM2.5 etc ...) are pretty much pointless, so that just seems like a way for them to jack up the price with no appreciable return.

That said I have this one. I don't think I paid as much as what is stated or inflation is creeping it up. Either way it gives me what I want which is basic temp and relative humidity. Those numbers aren't relavent for the tank but they help me understand when things seem hotter than the temp might indicate (I live in Texas).

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[Spare time]

I have a question about ph and macro algae in refugium in my reef tank. I was wondering by letting my chato grow too much without trimming if it would cause my ph to drop some because it’s consuming co2 in my tank. Thanks ahead of time.

Run the light 24/7 if you are concerned. Otherwise, it really doesn't matter. Daytime pH is more of a concern imo