New System pH Declining - ApexEL

[Leiph86]

Hey Everyone - I have a new 20 gallon nano build that is set up and I mixed saltwater and added it to the tank yesterday. Calibrated my probes and got my Apex set up. Since then, the tank has had a slight decline in the pH levels. Is this normal? What would cause this? Is this part of the cycling process? I used Reef Crystals for my salt mix this time around.

 

[Rick.45cal]

That’s a pretty common daily trend, especially after the lights go out and photosynthesis stops consuming CO2 from the water and starts contributing CO2 due to respiration. I wouldn’t worry about it

 

[TheHarold]

1000000000% normal. Will probably cycle at least .3 daily- if you had a flat reading, I would say the probe is defective

 

[Rick.45cal]

I’m guessing since it’s a new set up that the water is reaching an equilibrium with the amount of CO2 in your home over that time. I’d watch for a few days and see what the daily trend looks like. It’s not uncommon to have a higher concentration of CO2 in your home than outside especially if you have a very energy efficient home. I still wouldn’t worry about it!

 

[Leiph86]

Thank you to everyone for the reply - I'm used to checking pH a couple times a week. This new controller has me a little more in tune with what is happening and the things you normally don't see with spaced tests. I bought the BRS edition so right now it has the pH alarms set in a range from 7.8 to 8.4 which from what I understand are all acceptable ranges.

 

[ca1ore]

Also be mindful that pH probes will drift over time. All things equal, more data is better …. just don't overreact to it.

 

[Leiph86]

Also be mindful that pH probes will drift over time. All things equal, more data is better …. just don't overreact to it.

@ca1ore That's why I'm thankful for this forum and folks like you - people willing to share their knowledge makes all the difference in this hobby!

 

[piranhaman00]

I personally cant believe how stable these Neptune pH meters are. I calibrate mine once a month and it doesn't drift much. I work with pH meters at work and calibrate daily. I don't necessarily care what the pH in my tank is honestly so that is why I don't calibrate much.

But yes, mine drifts from 8.35 to 8.05. As my cheato is growing I am noticing the bottom out is getting slowly higher, 8.11. Pretty cool.