Low PH confirmation

[Siberwulf]

So I'm not the only one who has hit the low pH issue. I'd been dosing Alk to stabilize things during the cycle and while the pH isn't awful (it was 7.7) it's not ideal.

I do have a fuge in here, growing some Chaeto. I would have figured things would have been higher because of this. Apparently not!

I DID open a window a few hours ago, and it's been going up ever since. Is this a pretty bullet proof "get a CO2 reactor" type thing?

 

[eag]

I have the same problem... I think the answers are: skimmer line to the outside, windows open more often, co2 scrubber. The first two don't work for me, so now I've been reading up on the last.

 

[taricha]

The window is a good indicator.
Get a cup and bubble with an airstone and outside air. If the pH goes where it's expected (mid-low 8s) then that confirms low pH is real and really due to high CO2.

 

[Siberwulf]

The window is a good indicator.
Get a cup and bubble with an airstone and outside air. If the pH goes where it's expected (mid-low 8s) then that confirms low pH is real and really due to high CO2.

So I'm building up my Chaeto in my fuge. Would that eventually help enough where I don't need a scrubber?

 

[jgirardnrg]

Scrubber is so simple and works great. Bonus points for making the skimmer completely silent. What makes you not want to run one?

 

[Siberwulf]

Scrubber is so simple and works great. Bonus points for making the skimmer completely silent. What makes you not want to run one?

Having to replace media every other week basically

 

[taricha]

So I'm building up my Chaeto in my fuge. Would that eventually help enough where I don't need a scrubber?

It depends.
What the chaeto could do in theory, vs what it'll actually do under reef tank nutrients / conditions may be very different. If it gets limited by any conditions - light, flow, N, P, Fe etc then it won't drive pH as hard as you'd hope.
And it matters what the actual indoor CO2 level is and how aggressively the setup mixes the tank water with the indoor air.

 

[Siberwulf]

Good points. I think I'll crack a window to keep things reasonable for now. I've got about 900gph going through the sump, and a AI Fuge to keep it lit. I'll keep this updated!

 

[reeftivo]

Having to replace media every other week basically

so true. works great though. adds up $ after a while though but worth it considering the advantages.

 

[jgirardnrg]

Having to replace media every other week basically

Fair enough... you can buy the media in bulk from a dive shop and save a bit of money.

 

[josephxsxn]

I ran an outdoor skimmer air line on multiple tanks and it made a huge difference without having to buy co2 scrubbing media. If your in a location were you can run a line outside I would highly recommend it. Should you be curious about the relationship between PH, Alkalinity and Co2 checkout the tables linked in my signature. Also I live in Michigan and have had the outdoor tempature go below zero in winter with no impact to the tank, of course my water volume may be greater then some...

Having stared at my PH monitor enough now to be able to know my Alkalinity is low based on the PH value as my skimmer has a never ending source of stable input co2 air. Time of day of course matter if your tank is running it's photo period it will drive the PH up. But just checking on the AM before the lights daily I know what my minimum PH should be based on 7.5 DKH when using outdoor skimmer air.

 

[blasterman]

If opening a window increases pH why not fix the problem? Increase your ventilation. Why would you choose to breath C02 saturated air?

 

[Siberwulf]

If opening a window increases pH why not fix the problem? Increase your ventilation. Why would you choose to breath C02 saturated air?

Sometimes when it's 107 outside, I may not want that much ventilation...