Lost on keeping ph up

Eckolancer · Jul 2, 2015

deerhunter06 said:
I have the same problem.... I took a cup of water from my tank with a ph of 7.6 took it outside and put and airstone in it and let it run for an hour ph was 8.1.... Clearly an aeration issue. So now im running the pump outside with a long 1/4inch tube into my sump with the airstone on it and it seems to be helping.

Tried that it only went up about .2 not much but for me at this point everything helps.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jul 3, 2015

Eckolancer said:
Randy how do you feel about algae scrubbers. Im thinking about trying one but to do so I would have to take the bio pellets offline as my sump area is out of space.

They can be great for nutrient reduction if done properly. If the goal is to raise pH against CO2 from your home air, they may not accomplish that as well as normal macroalgae in a refugium because a scrubber will often be quite aerated.

FWIW, I grow macroalgae, but do not use a scrubber.

Eckolancer · Jul 3, 2015

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
They can be great for nutrient reduction if done properly. If the goal is to raise pH against CO2 from your home air, they may not accomplish that as well as normal macroalgae in a refugium because a scrubber will often be quite aerated.

FWIW, I grow macroalgae, but do not use a scrubber.

I was also thinking of adding a refugium but again would have to take the pellets offline. For the amount of flow I have in my sump would I need to slow it down? I've heard you need to have a slower flow for better macro growth. Any truth to that?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jul 3, 2015

I don't see a reason the flow "needs" to be low for a macroalgae refugium.

Eckolancer · Jul 3, 2015

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
I don't see a reason the flow "needs" to be low for a macroalgae refugium.

Great I might convert the bio pellet area into my refugium then.

Eckolancer · Jul 7, 2015

So I'm my search for more room in the sump I took biopellets offline. PH now sits at 8.15 day and 7.95 low point around midnight. That is the only change to the tank so far. May still add cheato but need to find some locally first.