PH Dive

gcrawford · Nov 15, 2014

Ph in both 120 and 75 have taken a dive tonight. Both are usually around 8.1 at this time of day and both are dropping and around 7.8 right now. Only change in the house is that I turned on the gas logs in the living room today during the football games.... Is it possible that the propane gas has dropped the ph in the tanks? I've turned the fireplace off for now...

ReefFreak@ · Nov 15, 2014

Most likely just because all your windows are closed and your house air is "stale". To combat this buy some house plants and put them in your fish room.

gcrawford · Nov 15, 2014

Windows open.... Thanks!

ReefFreak@ · Nov 15, 2014

No problem. If everything still looks happy and healthy i wouldn't worry to much, just periodically open them.Do you have any pictures of your systems?

gcrawford · Nov 15, 2014

Thanks.... 120...

ImageUploadedByREEF2REEF1416108307.719532.jpg

gcrawford · Nov 15, 2014

75...

ImageUploadedByREEF2REEF1416108358.644236.jpg

gcrawford · Nov 15, 2014

Sorry for the blue pics.... Sun has set on the reefbreeders lighting.

ReefFreak@ · Nov 15, 2014

haha all good. Really nice set ups! Is that a apex i see?

gcrawford · Nov 15, 2014

Yes, both have apex controllers - only way to go in my opinion!

ImageUploadedByREEF2REEF1416108674.086838.jpg

ImageUploadedByREEF2REEF1416108715.268552.jpg

ReefFreak@ · Nov 15, 2014

Your just the person i want to talk to. So in the next week or to i will be purchasing the apex with the lab grade ph probe. Im guessing you like the apex, any pros to cons you could tell my. Also my tank is down stairs and router is up stairs will that be a problem?Organized sumo btw

Velodog2 · Nov 15, 2014

I would guess turning on the gas logs was precisely the reason the ph dropped. I'm sure they are well vented but it would still be likely to raise the co2 in the house somewhat. I have spent the past couple of weeks watching the ph in my tank do all kinds of weird things now that the house is closed up depending on how much time I spend in the fish room and if I have the door closed.

ReefFreak@ · Nov 15, 2014

winter probs

gcrawford · Nov 15, 2014

ReefFreak@ said:
Your just the person i want to talk to. So in the next week or to i will be purchasing the apex with the lab grade ph probe. Im guessing you like the apex, any pros to cons you could tell my. Also my tank is down stairs and router is up stairs will that be a problem?Organized sumo btw

Yes, I would never go back to not having apex controllers on my tanks. I don't use Fusion - I have port forwarding set up on my router and can check parameters anywhere with my iPhone. I also have cams set up on each tank so I can see them when away.

Recently I bought two used apex systems and experimented with wireless adapters just to see how they worked. I was successful in setting these up and they work fine. The only limitation is firmware upgrades from neptune, which require a hardline Ethernet connection for the process. I just sold these last week.

I'd be glad to respond with advice when your controller comes in!

Well, my team lost tonight (Auburn).... But all good as the ph is beginning to rise in both tanks already!

ReefFreak@ · Nov 15, 2014

alright thanks that would be great, I'm probably gonna have a few questions , and as far as the firmware ill just get a 50ft usb and hardwire it for updates. sorry for the lost but I'm glad my advice worked so fast lol

ReefFreak@ · Nov 15, 2014

you really got me thinking with the cameras now!

gcrawford · Nov 15, 2014

ReefFreak@ said:
you really got me thinking with the cameras now!

Check out Foscam cameras. I got the hd ones, but am now looking at the units with zoom. Lots of fun aspects to this hobby!

ReefFreak@ · Nov 15, 2014

My minds rolling now! There not even as much as i would think.Good thing its almost christmas. The apex comes stock with a built in light timer correct? I know theres so much you can do with a apex it gets a little confusing what it comes with.

gcrawford · Nov 15, 2014

ReefFreak@ said:
My minds rolling now! There not even as much as i would think.Good thing its almost christmas. The apex comes stock with a built in light timer correct? I know theres so much you can do with a apex it gets a little confusing what it comes with.

It does have built in variable speed control ports that can be used for dc pumps or lighting. I think you can control the higher end Kessils and reef radiance has a light that can be controlled through the ports. ( both of these are for variable brightness/intensity) But yes for on/off functionality, you can control any light.

I use my variable speed ports to control my dc pumps which follow natural moon and sun cycles and make natural waves with dusk/dawn, waves and even storm settings. There's a wealth of knowledge on the neptune forums. These are located on the neptune site and link is under user support. You'll find examples and support for lighting programming there. I never knew my apex units would do what they do until I started researching there.

ReefFreak@ · Nov 15, 2014

i have halides so im restricted to on/off but thats crazy about the current and cycles!Thanks for the tip about the forum I'm gonna have to check it out. Im just psyched i can control my vortech through the internet lol