Low PH

[bfsaunde]

I think that what BRS did to bypass the reactor is cool but unnecessary. I've had pH readings of ~8.6 during the day and experienced no issues at all.

I was thinking that I don't need the pH to be above 8.3/8.4 and if I can save on media, that would be great. Not that I am worried about it going to 8.6. Thanks for providing the alternate source of media. Looking to save some money there for sure. Right now, I am replacing the media every 7-9 days. Looking to get that to at least just twice a month. If I can get it to once a month, that would be heaven. Do you rotate the two canisters when replacing media?
Thanks for the tips
Brian

 

[bfsaunde]

Post 356 in my build thread

Sincerely Lasse

Thanks Lasse! nice build thread

 

[Lasse]

Thank you

Sincerely Lasse

 

[john.m.cole3]

ok, Good information and even better that you are not having any issues like algae or lack of coral growth. All your parameters look good. I'm new to this forum and am unsure of the link posting policy. If you do a search for "don't chase pH in reef tank" you will get articles were there is a case being made to not worry about the pH if everything else is in order and you are not experiencing problems. I know that some aquarists will dose Kalk to raise pH or run a refugium on a reverse lighting schedule to prevent the night-time dips. The macro algae in the refugium will consume CO2 while the lights are off in the main display tank. Less CO2 in water should equal a higher pH. I would be hesitant on doing anything to drastic as everything seems ok except the number you are seeing for pH. Did you notice if the CO2 media turned purple after a few days? This would at least let us know if the Media was actually absorbing CO2 even if it was not resulting in a higher pH in your tank.

Please feel free to post links even if it's from another forum. As long as it is family friendly and helpful, it's allowed. Thanks for your help, you are going to fit in great over here.

 

[Opus]

Why does everyone worry so much about PH. I've tested it maybe twice on my tank in the 16 years I've had it.

 

[nervousmonkey]

I was thinking that I don't need the pH to be above 8.3/8.4 and if I can save on media, that would be great. Not that I am worried about it going to 8.6. Thanks for providing the alternate source of media. Looking to save some money there for sure. Right now, I am replacing the media every 7-9 days. Looking to get that to at least just twice a month. If I can get it to once a month, that would be heaven. Do you rotate the two canisters when replacing media?
Thanks for the tips
Brian

Yep, I rotate the canisters. When the first one gets depleted, I pull it and put the second one in it's place, then I add water to the foam on the bottom of the air canister, or just add a piece of foam or something to another canister, refill the media and connect that canister in the second position. It's not necessary but I find that it works pretty well this way. It helps a lot to add the water, that really extends the life of the media. Every two or three days, I'll open the whole house up just to exchange the inside air with outside air to try and equilibrate with normal atmospheric CO2, but that still requires a scrubber to remove the CO2 from the atmospheric air. I live in Georgia though and am on a plan with the electric company that charges me the same amount every month, so it works out for me, but I can see how others wouldn't be able to do that.
I also remove the airline from the intake of the skimmer to clean it as well. It is surprising how much algae and other nasty stuff can get in the line due to skimmer shutoffs.

Why does everyone worry so much about PH. I've tested it maybe twice on my tank in the 16 years I've had it.

Some people like to know and others don't, and yours is probably a great pH. pH is a great indicator of health, parameters, and sometimes, self-satisfaction.
Factually, pH can give us an idea of alkalinity levels and dissolved CO2 levels, both of which contribute to or detract from coral skeletal and tissue growth, respectively. IMO, that's why most people measure pH and worry about it, but there is a point to not testing it, or not even knowing it, and just enjoying one's tank, isn't there?