Need help with increasing pH on mixed reef

[dbleoh7]

I just started paying attention to my pH a few months ago when I purchased an Alkatronic...(I already run a Dosetronic and Mastertronic) I quickly realized my pH dropped quite low during night down to 7.5... This is likely what has been causing stunted growth in my SPS over the past 6 months. I then added chaeto to my sump on a reverse cycle 11pm-11am. This increased the pH to 7.65 at night... still low. I then added a CO2 scrubber from BRS which did very little to the pH(I assume because it's just myself in a 1500 sq ft house and I work during the day). I started dosing Reef Code B at night and increased my alkalinity from 8 to 10.5 but still didn't change my pH much. The pH reaches a max of 8.15 around 8pm and then drops to around 7.65 by 9am.

Display volume: 60 gallons
Sump volume: ~10 gallons (20 gallon long DIY sump)
I have 2 AI nero powerheads and 1 MP10 which provide surface agitation and a skimmer that runs 24/7
Lighting runs 10am-10pm
Dosing:
- Neontrate three times daily
- For alkalinity I dose All-For-Reef 6 times daily (24ml total) and Reef Code B 2ml twice at night
- Acropower 2 ml/day
I run a skimmer that runs all day which is now connected to a CO2 scrubber
Other Parameters: Calcium 420, Mag 1250, phos 0.02, nitrates 7

I have some pics of my setup to better visualize coral load, etc. It's a mixed reef that I'd say is moderately stocked with coral.

Anyone have any suggestions? I'm at a loss of what else to do...

 

[piranhaman00]

How do you know what your ph is?

 

[dbleoh7]

How do you know what your ph is?

Through the Alkatronic. I have it measuring alkalinity and pH every 8 hours

 

[piranhaman00]

I would start there, confirm your pH

 

[dbleoh7]

I would start there, confirm your pH

I confirmed it with salifert. It wasn’t exact but it was only off ~0.1

 

[piranhaman00]

Confirm with ph probe

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

Bring in Outside Air, and PUMP it into your Skimmer. Control the Inside Air Exchange, on your Aquarium. When and if I ever get everything transferred over to my 120 Gallon. Move my 65 Gallon out of my Shop Area. I’m buying a more Professional Air Pump. Probably a Danner. Sealing and Modifying it for an outside air tube, to pump air into the Water. I’ve had a lot of success with a Dual Output, Cheap Air pump, I modified.

 

[JMSKI333]

Use kalkwasser in your top off water to replenish your alkalinity and calcium and dose it at night. That will be the best way to increase PH

+1 on Plumb your skimmer air intake tubing to fresh air.

 

[dbleoh7]

Confirm with ph probe

Even though the Alkatronic uses a pH probe?

 

[dbleoh7]

Use kalkwasser in your top off water to replenish your alkalinity and calcium and dose it at night. That will be the best way to increase PH

+1 on Plumb your skimmer air intake tubing to fresh air.

Good idea. I'll give that a shot rather than using the Reef Code at night. I assumed Reef Code had hydroxide in it, but it appears it doesn't.