Maintaining ph

[melonheadorion]

i dont think the message here is that PH isnt important. i think that the message is that you should worry about other things, and not try to chase a number when the fluctuation is a insignificant. in this case, is a difference of .04, and is at a level in which many people likely run their tanks.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I really don't understand why people are so scared about changes in ALk, this is just an indicator for the buffering capacity of your tankwater, this isn't one element. In my opinion corals can be perfectly happy with an Alk of 7 and a pH of 8.3 but also with an Alk of 15 and a pH of 8.3. The changes in pH are way worse to the health of a coral than the changes in Alk. I quote Dong Zou from Acogarden on this one.

I know he mentioned other methods of keeping up with his high alk demand, but that is something else.

But again, this is my take on reefing, I think pH stability is crucial in keeping corals healthy and thriving.

Well, your opinion on alk not mattering is far from the mainstream, and the fact that he uses other methods to boost alk as well is NOT "something else". It is the crux of the problem with taking this advice without understanding it and how it relates to tanks that are not using something else at the same time which limits the alk rise.

ALk is not "just an indicator for the buffering capacity". Alk is a surrogate measure for carbonate and bicarbonate, and is the limiting factor in the calcification (skeletal formation) rate in many hard corals. That is why it matters.

That said, I agree that corals can be happy at low or high alk, as long as other conditions, such as available N and P are acceptable.

I do definitely assure you, however, that a reef tank at 15 dKH and a pH of 8.6 will likely have severe precipitation issues to deal with on pumps, heaters, and possibly sand.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Color and growth.. I’m sure some could be happier haha.. it’s just like people you can’t please them all! If 40 of 48 sticks are exploding with growth I’m good! ;p

That's fair. It's the very definition of "good enough" for the reef keeper. I would always just be cautious to claim it is optimal compared to anything else.

 

[Troylee]

That's fair. It's the very definition of "good enough" for the reef keeper. I would always just be cautious to claim it is optimal compared to anything else.

From my 20 or so years in the hobby and always being a stick head I’ve stuck with 2 things! Stable alk and carbon dosing.. the rest I don’t test for I just do regular water changes like 20% weekly.. I’ve been very successful with that simple combo myself.. my tank is as simple as it gets! A sump with just a over sized and modified skimmer and a couple wave makers from Amazon in the display lol.. no controllers no fancy smancy controllers or roller mats or anything I see people running today.. I tried chateo and it died so I run the basics.. it works! Go figure haha! I did just change from reef crystals to regular io cause I see you’re always recommending it! My alk was very high for awhile around 14 but my nutrients were super high so I didn’t have any issues.. with the change I’m able to keep them around 9 now which I like .

 

[Dburr1014]

I couldn't agree more, Ph stabilization is crucial in keeping corals healthy and giving them a chance to thrive! And not only a stable level is important, but also on which level. Forget the myth of 'don't chase numbers'... for Ph this is a whole different story, keep you level at 8.3 and things will change for the best in your tank!

PH fluctuates From day to night.
The ocean fluctuates from day to night. (kelp forests and calcification areas)
To me, alkalinity is much more important.

 

[Reefscape20g]

PH fluctuates From day to night.
The ocean fluctuates from day to night. (kelp forests and calcification areas)
To me, alkalinity is much more important.

Please tell me, how much does the pH and alkalinity of the ocean fluctuates from day to night?

 

[Dburr1014]

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Day-and-night-comparisons-of-both-pH-and-dissolved-oxygen-between-kelp-canopy-interior_tbl1_343078846

Please tell me, how much does the pH and alkalinity of the ocean fluctuates from day to night?

From the article :
pH at the kelp edge reached as high as 8.38 during the day, and as low as 7.69 at night

 

[52728299]

Well if it helps my ph during the day is around 8.2 and I've seen it drop at night to around 7.69. When I feel like it I open a window near the tank at night for a couple hours and it helps ph stay around 7.9 through the night.

 

[ptrick21186]

I find my pH stays pretty stable when my Alk is stable. I get about a 0.2-0.3 pH swing from day to night. But if my Alk is bouncing around my pH bounces more.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Please tell me, how much does the pH and alkalinity of the ocean fluctuates from day to night?

Alkalinity in the ocean does not appreciably change day to night, and by location, only by salinity changes.

 

[Lionfish hunter]

I really don't understand why people are so scared about changes in ALk, this is just an indicator for the buffering capacity of your tankwater, this isn't one element. In my opinion corals can be perfectly happy with an Alk of 7 and a pH of 8.3 but also with an Alk of 15 and a pH of 8.3. The changes in pH are way worse to the health of a coral than the changes in Alk. I quote Dong Zou from Acogarden on this one.

I know he mentioned other methods of keeping up with his high alk demand, but that is something else.

But again, this is my take on reefing, I think pH stability is crucial in keeping corals healthy and thriving.

What about calcium? Because kalk adds more than just alk.