Major PH fluctuations due to CO2

[Mattc123]

Hi all. I've had major issues with CO2 build up in my room where my 100 gallon is since I got it. My apex consistently reads a low pH of 7.4 even with the windows open in my room at night with me in it, along with my brand new Hanna multichecker, and my API kit. So I have 3 separate ways of reading it and every single one is the same. Now when I leave the house for work and I'm gone for a few days, you can see the evidence of it in the Apex because the pH goes up to 7.9-8. You can literally see when I leave the house and get back in my screenshot. Everyone in my tank seems happy though which I find odd, but needless to say happy about. Sadly though my sister neglected to mention she'd be sleeping in my room a few months ago when she was visiting and I was in Europe, and my pH absolutely bottomed out and killed my very first tang . As of right now I have a plethora of snails, crabs, shrimp, two clowns, and a goby. I bought a CO2 reactor and have had it going for the last 12 hours now but it doesn't seem to be doing anything. I even have it all the way by the open window. What else can I do to raise my pH because this is driving me insane. My kh is also 7.8 last I checked so it's not insanely low so I just can't make sense of it all. I just wanna be able to get more livestock and corals but I know I can't until I work this out. Thanks everyone!

 

[Doctorgori]

What are you using for 2 part? What are you dosing? You have options:
Randy’s high pH 2 part formula
Re circulation your CO2 reactor (Not sure how you have it setup)
Dripping Kalkwasser

 

[trevorhiller]

This is quite low, I wouldn't trust the API pH kit at all, no experience with the Hanna one but non probe style pH checkers stink in my opinion. Have you tried calibrating your pH probe? That's the only one I would trust.

Options:
Buy CO2 meter on Amazon to measure CO2 in room and verify it's high.
Dose kalkwasser - seems like a viable option since your Alkalinity is low normal anyway.

A CO2 scrubber should be elevating pH, are you sure the media is not spent? Also is there anything you are currently dosing?

 

[Mattc123]

What are you using for 2 part? What are you dosing? You have options:
Randy’s high pH 2 part formula
Re circulation your CO2 reactor (Not sure how you have it setup)
Dripping Kalkwasser

I don't do any 2 part right now as I only have one tiny GSP and everything seems to be pretty easily replenished with water changes. I'm gonna give the CO2 scrubber a few days and see how it goes. Otherwise I may also get a kalk reactor.

 

[Mattc123]

This is quite low, I wouldn't trust the API pH kit at all, no experience with the Hanna one but non probe style pH checkers stink in my opinion. Have you tried calibrating your pH probe? That's the only one I would trust.

Options:
Buy CO2 meter on Amazon to measure CO2 in room and verify it's high.
Dose kalkwasser - seems like a viable option since your Alkalinity is low normal anyway.

A CO2 scrubber should be elevating pH, are you sure the media is not spent? Also is there anything you are currently dosing?

The Apex probe is still relatively new and I calibrated it when I got it. The Hanna has always been extremely reliable for me and the new one is the best one I've ever had. API is definitely always sketchy though. I know the CO2 is high because when I leave for a while or open up the windows it definitely helps but just not enough but I still think you're right and I need a meter. The media is brand new in the scrubber as I just got it today, and I'm not dosing anything right now.

 

[tzabor10]

Sounds similar to what I went through. Seems like kH is much more important than pH. I put in the recirculating CO2 scrubber, changing media every 2 weeks. Also running a HOB Refugium off my sump. Using Kalkwasser in my ATO and dosing 2 part separately day and night. Things are going much better and pH rarely falls below 8. Keep trying.
What CO2 reactor did you get and how is it set up? Also, what skimmer do you use and where does the air intake come from? If it is in a cabinet, you might see better results if you can run tubing from the outside.

 

[Mattc123]

Sounds similar to what I went through. Seems like kH is much more important than pH. I put in the recirculating CO2 scrubber, changing media every 2 weeks. Also running a HOB Refugium off my sump. Using Kalkwasser in my ATO and dosing 2 part separately day and night. Things are going much better and pH rarely falls below 8. Keep trying.
What CO2 reactor did you get and how is it set up? Also, what skimmer do you use and where does the air intake come from? If it is in a cabinet, you might see better results if you can run tubing from the outside.

I have the universal brs one that's basically a repurposed canister filter and it's setup with the air tube going right into the silencer of the skimmer and it's currently outside the stand. I have a bubble magus curve 7 that has not cooperated with me for months but it still makes bubbles at least but that's an entirely different topic of anger for me!

 

[tzabor10]

Fishofhex has this lid for your bubble magus7. Are you running this yet? It keeps the CO2 lower in the skimmer

 

[Mattc123]

Fishofhex has this lid for your bubble magus7. Are you running this yet? It keeps the CO2 lower in the skimmer

No but I will definitely be checking that out now thank you!

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

How often are you recalibrating your probes? Can you recalibrate your apex probe to confirm your concerns?

What are you doing in the means of gas exchange? Do your powerheads provide enough flow to break the surface tension of the water to promote gas exchange? Are you using a skimmer?

When you say you open the window and pH doesn't change, I'd first look at proper calibration and a means for better gas exchange.

 

[exnisstech]

I've never checked pH but there's been so much talk about it lately I figured why not check it. The tank in our bedroom was 7.8 in the am after being closed up with ac on and 2 adults and 2 dogs breathing in the room. Later that eve after the windows were open it was 8.3. I have no skimmer so I decided to add one. I added a BM curve 5 and ran an air line to the attic which is sealed from the home but is vented via soffit and ridge vents. Just making that one change is keeping pH at 8.2 when the room is closed up all night.
I'm surprised your pH stays so low when the house is open. I would definately look into a Co2 meter and see where your levels are in the home.

 

[Mattc123]

How often are you recalibrating your probes? Can you recalibrate your apex probe to confirm your concerns?

What are you doing in the means of gas exchange? Do your powerheads provide enough flow to break the surface tension of the water to promote gas exchange? Are you using a skimmer?

When you say you open the window and pH doesn't change, I'd first look at proper calibration and a means for better gas exchange.

I got the Apex about 3 months ago so according to them I guess I am about due to calibrate but my brand new Hanna checker reads the same thing. For gas exchange I have a dual return head both pointed towards the surface causing quite a bit of turbulence, along with an icecap gyre 1k pointed slightly towards the surface as well. I definitely think they're breaking surface tension but I guess I'm not sure what exactly that looks like but it's quite turbulent. I am using a bubble magus curve 7 that is now hooked up to a CO2 scrubber that seems to have made a little dent but not enough just yet but I'm still waiting to see. The pH does in fact change with the windows open just not enough with me in the room. If I left the window closed with me in the room I'm quite positive everything in the tank would be dead

 

[Mattc123]

I've never checked pH but there's been so much talk about it lately I figured why not check it. The tank in our bedroom was 7.8 in the am after being closed up with ac on and 2 adults and 2 dogs breathing in the room. Later that eve after the windows were open it was 8.3. I have no skimmer so I decided to add one. I added a BM curve 5 and ran an air line to the attic which is sealed from the home but is vented via soffit and ridge vents. Just making that one change is keeping pH at 8.2 when the room is closed up all night.
I'm surprised your pH stays so low when the house is open. I would definately look into a Co2 meter and see where your levels are in the home.

I will be buying one as soon as I can. Sadly I have nowhere I can run an airline without cutting through walls but maybe I can work something out.

 

[Uncle99]

All I ever got from monitoring PH was incorrect and inconsistent numbers and a headache.
While ensuring good water movement, I have never measured PH again.
Most of the low readings are just false.
PH is what it is.