Low ph during cycle Normal ?

[Justmike]

I just entered week three of my fish less cycle and my ph has dropped a lot today . ( testing with Api test kit daily during cycle as I am excited and trying to learn )
I am in no rush to put in fish or cuc, just want to do it right

Amonia spiked and now is at 0
Nitrites spiked on week 2 and now are staring to drop, currently measuring 1.0 ppm
Nitrates measuring 10 ppm
Ph measuring 7.4 today ( yesterday was 8.4)

120 gallon
100 lbs live sand
90 pounds of Pukani dry rock
10 pounds of live rock to seed
Initial filled water was not rodi water , now the top off water is rodi

Is it normal for ph to drop so fast ?

Should I worry ?
Looking forward to your guys thoughts

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Did you measure it at the same time of day?
And if you get weird readings it's good to double check.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Oh and def Google Randy Farley low ph causes. You'll like that article.

 

[Justmike]

I have been measuring it same time each day . Thanks for the link to that Farley article . I guess for now it's just all part of the cycle .

 

[brandon429]

Google to see if API pH readings have been found accurate when compared to calibrated probes

 

[Justmike]

Thanks Brandon , good to know . Do you have one you recommend ?

 

[brandon429]

yes for sure, its actually not to monitor pH unless using a digital probe $$



I know that sounds crazy but this is a better alternate imo:

make sure CO2 isn't the culprit while verifying your alk more importantly than pH using a very high quality alk test kit, salifert for example.



Randy's articles show bubble cup testing to determine CO2 impacts, run those and use someone elses pH kit locally if possible, try salifert or any of the digital ones

I haven't ever owned a pH test kit in 16 yrs of reefing, totally optional. then again I change large amounts of water that's how I get by...but for you, knowing true alkalinity and CO2 issues are your main goal, not the pH.

I don't recommend using API for anything low level or barely-there differences, they are better for pronounced changes in the tank.

 

[brandon429]

if it also helps to know, other than dosing meds no variance w stop your cycle. even if you had CO2 incursion causing the changes these bac are just ready for anything shy of meds, so that's a nice timing thing. no rush to learn and control ph, cycle continues as long as some salt is in the water. and then even if there weren't salt, other bac would still do just fine for a fw cycle.

 

[Aznxgqboyx]

I live in an apartment complex, my salt mixes at 8.3, after about 8 hrs it drops to 7.3-7.6 and never get any higher unless I leave my sliding door open all day hen maybe 7.8, but fl is to hot for that but anyway the fishes and corals seem fine to me even at a steady 7.5 ph

 

[Justmike]

Ok thank you , I will do what you suggest .