PH has lost control!!

chefb_5 · Sep 5, 2012

Hi, thanks for looking at my post! Well my PH is usally during the day at 8.26 and around 8.02 at night, but now it avrages at 7.96 what the heck? any clues to what it might be? I have been dosing cal,mag,alk and my alk is right where it needs to be and my cal is on the lower side, but im working on that and the mag is also pn the low side. I have recalabrated my prob, but it shouldn't drop or make that much of a diff.

revhtree · Sep 5, 2012

Hmm is it averaging 7.96 consistently?

jdpiii3 · Sep 6, 2012

I had the same problem, if your house is sealed up in the summer and running a/c you will have more CO2 in the home. I fixed it by running a fan across the top of the tank, and my air input for my skimmer runs into my garage. Now my Ph is back where it needs to be.

Downbeach · Sep 6, 2012

As jdp said, you probably have high levels of atmospheric CO2 causing a slight drop in your pH. If it's not too hot try opening some windows. You might tweek your air into your skimmer even if it runs a little wet, and/or add some from an external source as mentioned.

Good read here:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.php

Are you using a Ca reactor?

chrispc66 · Sep 6, 2012

Photosynthesis and the Reef Aquarium, Part I: Carbon Sources by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

An interesting read about CO2 and relationships with pH.

chefb_5 · Sep 7, 2012

I just put some fans in one blowing in and one sucking out. Ihave a calcium doser and Alk doser. Ihad fans running befor, but then the wiring came undone and didn't have time to re wore it back, so hopefully that is the trick. we always run a/c in the house.