Low ph dissolve corals

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I would think if you really want to know just set a calcium reactor at 7.5 and measure the effluent comming out. If you see a higher alk comming out than what is in the tank than something is melting. I only measure ph to make sure there arent an swings but there has to be a breaking point of what is not safe. Personally I like to leave some room for error.

This is well established science. The only uncertainty is how fast it happens, not if it happens.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Well in order for the coral's skeleton to dissolve, it would need to be subjected to acidic conditions which will happen after the pH drops below 7.

No, that's not exactly correct. It doe snot need to have a pH below 7.

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

No, that's not exactly correct. It doe snot need to have a pH below 7.

Okay, thanks for clearing that up I forgot saturation factors we're a thing, it's been a while since my last chemistry course

 

[CoralWealth]

I am starting to think I should raise my PH, since adding my calcium reactor it never goes above 8 during the day with the lights on (around 7.95) and drops all the way down to 7.7 at night.

I was thinking of running a c02 scrubber from my skimmer just at night to make the media last longer.

Would this soda lime work or what is the cheapest way to do it? Maybe it is BRS's but I just want to make sure as I am sure the media wont last long in my setup.

http://www.shopmedvet.com/product/s...MI0oGLhKiH2QIVg0GGCh2gNg_2EAQYBCABEgJDdfD_BwE

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I am starting to think I should raise my PH, since adding my calcium reactor it never goes above 8 during the day with the lights on (around 7.95) and drops all the way down to 7.7 at night.

I was thinking of running a c02 scrubber from my skimmer just at night to make the media last longer.

Would this soda lime work or what is the cheapest way to do it? Maybe it is BRS's but I just want to make sure as I am sure the media wont last long in my setup.

http://www.shopmedvet.com/product/s...MI0oGLhKiH2QIVg0GGCh2gNg_2EAQYBCABEgJDdfD_BwE

Air from outside is cheapest.

 

[CoralWealth]

Air from outside is cheapest.

My sump is in the basement and I would have to drill through cement, so honestly thats not an option for me unfortunately.

Plus if it snowed in the winter, the line would be deep in snow and I am sure wont be able to get air.

 

[Abhishek]

I am starting to think I should raise my PH, since adding my calcium reactor it never goes above 8 during the day with the lights on (around 7.95) and drops all the way down to 7.7 at night.

I was thinking of running a c02 scrubber from my skimmer just at night to make the media last longer.

Would this soda lime work or what is the cheapest way to do it? Maybe it is BRS's but I just want to make sure as I am sure the media wont last long in my setup.

http://www.shopmedvet.com/product/s...MI0oGLhKiH2QIVg0GGCh2gNg_2EAQYBCABEgJDdfD_BwE

Yes that works and I have used the same . Problem is the media gets used up so fast in my case that I have to refill the canister every 4-5 days . If I don't pH starts falling...

Regards,
Abhishek

 

[CoralWealth]

Yes that works and I have used the same . Problem is the media gets used up so fast in my case that I have to refill the canister every 4-5 days . If I don't pH starts falling...

Regards,
Abhishek

so this bag only lasts you like what, 10 days? How big is your system again?

 

[bubbaque]

@Randy Holmes-Farley if a ph below 7.7 dissolves the corals skeleton, you would think it is doing it to the tissue to even easier, right?

 

[Abhishek]

so this bag only lasts you like what, 10 days? How big is your system again?

Only 100 gallon total and I used to run through 2 - 2.5 bags a month when I ran it . I kept trying to keep pH at 8 or so constantly but it became a chore soon to replace ..

So I gave up but looking to DIY 3 canisters in series and then I can only fill once in 20 days .

Regards,
Abhishek

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

@Randy Holmes-Farley if a ph below 7.7 dissolves the corals skeleton, you would think it is doing it to the tissue to even easier, right?

The tissue will potentially protect the underlying skeleton by blocking the low pH bulk water from getting to it.

Corals keep a high pH under their tissue in contact with growing skeleton (at least in some locations where they are growing) to accelerate deposition of calcium carbonate.