Low ph and co2 in my aquarium

[glb]

Hi everyone. I have a 12g nano with the following parameters:

Kh -8
Mg: 1300
Ca: 450-500
Ph: 7.7 in the morning and 8.0 at night
Temp: 78

It was running as low as 7.6 in the morning. I've been adding buffer slowly and it's been at 7.7 now for two days. The corals look fine. I'm pretty sure it's a co2 problems because everything else is ok. We have central air and it's too hot to leave a window open. I have the lid propped open and a paddle fan running. Kalk isn't an option because it's a nano. My instincts are telling me to just leave it alone but I wonder if long term this could negatively affect the tank. I'd appreciate any help!


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12g Nanoreef. Zooanthids, Ricordia, Star Polyps, Acans and two clownfish. CF Lighting, 75% actinic blue, 25% 10,000k white.

 

[cdness]

Look into a CO2 Scrubber. BRS sells them. It will hook to your skimmer and remove the CO2 before it goes into the tank.

 

[glb]

I don't have a skimmer. Just foam filter, bioballs, Purigen and DeNitrate. The skimmers for this size tank don't get good reviews. Can I use a scrubber without one?


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12g Nanoreef. Zooanthids, Ricordia, Star Polyps, Acans and two clownfish. CF Lighting, 75% actinic blue, 25% 10,000k white.

 

[Dtech07]

IMHO
Your parameters look fine Ca is a little high but if there stable and your corals are showing good color, growth, and feeding then I wouldn't be I've concerned. Being that said your worry was natural Co2 due to (from what you explained) a lack of fresh O2 because of AC and your home windows not being opened. Then creating or increasing more surface agitation can be a easy remedy but being you have a nano you'll have to be creative. Meaning have your power heads create more surface movement this will allow a higher amount of Co2 release which will also increase your O2 amount in your tank this (perhaps) seeing a increase in your Ph. But if the tank is happy and prospering doing simple things like this won't have a high cost nor environment impact in a negative way. Hope it helps

 

[glb]

Thanks so much! That was super helpful!


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12g Nanoreef. Zooanthids, Ricordia, Star Polyps, Acans and two clownfish. CF Lighting, 75% actinic blue, 25% 10,000k white.

 

[Dtech07]

NP and take care.

 

[ken77]

I have thst problem my canopy hss little ventaltion. I use the carbon dioxide remover from two little fishes. I took an old carbon plastic jug drilled holes in the bottom added layer of filter floss. I then added the carbon dioxide remover and covered it with a layer of floss. I drilled a hole in the lid and siliconed in plastic airline tubing connected the other end of the tube to my protein skimmer. When media turns purple change it. This has really helped my ph problem.

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[glb]

Thanks! Would there be a way to use that without a skimmer? I don't have one.


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12g Nanoreef. Zooanthids, Ricordia, Star Polyps, Acans and two clownfish. CF Lighting, 75% actinic blue, 25% 10,000k white.

 

[ken77]

I am not sure how to do it with out a skimmer.


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[beaslbob]

actually I think your comment that you should leave it alone is the best advice.

I personally would consider incorporating macro algaes like chaeto or halimeda in the system. That will raise the ph by lowering the co2 so that the tank becomes an net consumer of co2 and producer of oxygen every 24 hour period.

I also put much more emphasis in the just before lights out pH and use the pH just before lights on and a kinda an indication of the kH levels. But you should measure kH anyway and let that determine any dosing required.


my .02