PH has tanked, and I have no idea why

[Pdash]

Let me start this off by saying that I know there are two main factors when dealing with pH, dKH and co2 levels in the aquarium. First I've had a consistent dKH over the whole time period this had been going on between 8-8.4 dKH (checked with a Hanna checker). I've also been using the same batch of Hanna reagents during this period. Before this drop I was dosing around 30 ml of Red Sea alkalinity per day on a doser. I also run a BRS recirculating co2 scrubber on my rsk-300, on the 6th of September I installed a water trap between my skimmer and co2 reactor because I was getting too much water in the lines/reactor. This worked perfectly to reduce this issue, and had no effect on performance. Since this change I have been diligent about keeping a small amount of rodi water in the bottom of the reactor. I had been running 8.37-8.13 (8.46 max when I was in Vegas), the decline started around the 21st of September and has continued up to today I'm now at 7.88-8.12.
Around the 21st-23rd, I'm not sure when because I failed to note it in my Apex, I changed my co2 media because I was beginning to see a slight decline in pH, even though the media only had an approximate 60% color shift. This change seemed to have no effect or maybe a negative one so I changed it again a few days after, and the decline has continued. Additionally, there has not been an increase in the number of people/animals in my house recently, and I have even had my window open a bit since the weather has been decent, when its not pouring rain at least. I've broken down my skimmer and checked it's function, I've stripped down the co2 scrubber checked lines, taken additional measures to seal up the lines, and checked/cleaned seals. I'm pulling my hair out at this point. Also, for the people who say don't worry about pH, ummm no, it makes a massive difference in growth/vitality of my corals.

 

[Billldg]

I would say that if the problems seem to have started after you installed this water trap, then I would put it back to the way it was and see if this fixes the problem. You may have fixed the problem with water in the lines, but may have accidentally created another one. I also run a BRS C02 reactor and I have it tied straight into the muffler of my skimmer, the only thing in between the 2 is a solenoid that switched when I hit a programmed PH level thus turning off the reactor and forcing the skimmer to pull air from the outside.

 

[sergifed91]

I have the same problem. the only thing I don't have is a collection cup to collect the water in the lines. I just pour it on the floor and leave it. it will evaporate. won't harm the concrete. but as soon as Im out of media that I bought from BRS im switching to 2little fishes media. I heard you get better results with their media than BRS media.

 

[Pdash]

I would say that if the problems seem to have started after you installed this water trap, then I would put it back to the way it was and see if this fixes the problem. You may have fixed the problem with water in the lines, but may have accidentally created another one. I also run a BRS C02 reactor and I have it tied straight into the muffler of my skimmer, the only thing in between the 2 is a solenoid that switched when I hit a programmed PH level thus turning off the reactor and forcing the skimmer to pull air from the outside.

Did you read my post? Water trap was sept 6th problem was sept 21st. I even provided the graphs so you have an exact look at the pH/timeline.

 

[Billldg]

Did you read my post? Water trap was sept 6th problem was sept 21st.

Yes, I did read your post, but that was the only thing you did to the reactor and skimmer between not having any issues and now so I figured that removing that would remove that part from the equation. Have you checked the connections between the reactor and skimmer, could you possibly be pulling air in from the outside, maybe a leaking seal or clamp?

The only time I have seen that type of drop, yes I also have a Apex and have the same graph, is when my media is running on empty, or when I let the reactor dry out from not putting in water in the bottom.

 

[Pdash]

Yes, I did read your post, but that was the only thing you did to the reactor and skimmer between not having any issues and now so I figured that removing that would remove that part from the equation. Have you checked the connections between the reactor and skimmer, could you possibly be pulling air in from the outside, maybe a leaking seal or clamp?

I also addressed this in my first post, I honestly appreciate that you are trying to help, but even if I was pulling in air outside of the recirculator, I am extremely skeptical it would have this dramatic of an effect.

 

[Pdash]

I have the same problem. the only thing I don't have is a collection cup to collect the water in the lines. I just pour it on the floor and leave it. it will evaporate. won't harm the concrete. but as soon as Im out of media that I bought from BRS im switching to 2little fishes media. I heard you get better results with their media than BRS media.

I'll send you a photo if you want, its a pretty easy DIY. Just a plastic jar with two holes drilled in the lid and two fittings glued in.

 

[Billldg]

I still gonna try and help you anyway I can, or maybe give you a Ah Ha moment. You changed your media twice within a few days, so we know its not the media, without being a rocket scientist, I can only see 2 options that are causing it, for some reason air isn't being pulled thru the media, or your tanks photosynthesis cycle has lowered thus using less C02 in the day. Hopefully you find the problem out as I agree PH is a big deal.

 

[CNDReef]

If something died in the tank it could be decomposing and dragging the ph down as well.

 

[Jay Z]

Weather change at all when you noticed it started dropping? slow change?

I pull outside air, no scrubber at all. I'll post my apex graph up of my ph for the week.

We had rain monday the 23rd at night
Rain saturday night up to now on sunday.
My ph drops when ever the rain moves in.

I monitor my house co2 religiously.

On my indoor monitor for the last week, co2 was the highest monday night, and saturday night and sunday.

Which by your slow graph decline, I would guess it may not be weather related by the consistency of it.

Besides that, by the slow decline, do you have a light losing par? Or lense getting dirty?

 

[Silver14SS]

Have you tested the pH with another method to confirm the Apex probe is correct?

 

[Pdash]

If something died in the tank it could be decomposing and dragging the ph down as well.

Nothing large has died, nutrients are probably lower than I'd like.

 

[Pdash]

Have you tested the pH with another method to confirm the Apex probe is correct?

No, but I'm 99% sure its accurate for the simple fact that the drop has lowered my alkalinity consumption, and it perfectly corresponds. I've been testing alkalinity daily, sometimes 2x.

 

[Pdash]

Weather change at all when you noticed it started dropping? slow change?

I pull outside air, no scrubber at all. I'll post my apex graph up of my ph for the week.

We had rain monday the 23rd at night
Rain saturday night up to now on sunday.
My ph drops when ever the rain moves in.

I monitor my house co2 religiously.

On my indoor monitor for the last week, co2 was the highest monday night, and saturday night and sunday.

Which by your slow graph decline, I would guess it may not be weather related by the consistency of it.

Besides that, by the slow decline, do you have a light losing par? Or lense getting dirty?

Nope, 4 gen4 XR15 pro Radions, 7 months old. I keep the diffusers clean.

 

[Pdash]

Weather change at all when you noticed it started dropping? slow change?

I pull outside air, no scrubber at all. I'll post my apex graph up of my ph for the week.

We had rain monday the 23rd at night
Rain saturday night up to now on sunday.
My ph drops when ever the rain moves in.

I monitor my house co2 religiously.

On my indoor monitor for the last week, co2 was the highest monday night, and saturday night and sunday.

Which by your slow graph decline, I would guess it may not be weather related by the consistency of it.

Besides that, by the slow decline, do you have a light losing par? Or lense getting dirty?

There has been lots of rain the last couple days, but this doesn't correlate with when the drop started.

 

[Jay Z]

Nope, 4 gen4 XR15 pro Radions, 7 months old. I keep the diffusers clean.

Well thats the best I had. I'm out.

Will keep following, interested to see what you find out.

 

[Billldg]

So lets look at the obvious or what has said to be true:

PH started dropping roughly a week ago
Dropping each day equally, roughly .05 daily
The up and down swing is roughly the same, roughly .25 daily
Media has been changed twice during this time to rule out used up media
Skimmer has been torn down and cleaned
Reactor had been torn down and cleaned, all seals checked and double checked
Lights are new and cleaned

Is their anything else that I missed that will help with a conclusion to fix problem?

Don't know if this can be answered, but have you noticed a drop in photosynthesis. Have you cleaned out some algae?

#reefsquad

@Randy Holmes-Farley

 

[sergifed91]

I'll send you a photo if you want, its a pretty easy DIY. Just a plastic jar with two holes drilled in the lid and two fittings glued in.

I hooked up a second mini reactor just now. I filled it half with water. I did this for 2 reasons. to keep the media moist and second to catch what moisture is in the line. I will make a few modifications to it in the next week. just need to relax the rest of the day. got a busy week at work for me.

 

[MnFish1]

No, but I'm 99% sure its accurate for the simple fact that the drop has lowered my alkalinity consumption, and it perfectly corresponds. I've been testing alkalinity daily, sometimes 2x.

This COULD be your mistake. Always double check a test. First - a ph 'drop'this much is not that significant - and secondly - testing issues should always be verified. I do not have much faith in Co2 scrubbers - from the standpoint of 'reliability' - unless you're actually measuring the air going through them. Im sure you'll figure out the problem - in the meantime - be happy its not a 'big problem'. If I had to bet - I would bet its something to do with either your apex - or the way you 'fixed' your CO2 scrubber.....

 

[Pdash]

This COULD be your mistake. Always double check a test. First - a ph 'drop'this much is not that significant - and secondly - testing issues should always be verified. I do not have much faith in Co2 scrubbers - from the standpoint of 'reliability' - unless you're actually measuring the air going through them. Im sure you'll figure out the problem - in the meantime - be happy its not a 'big problem'. If I had to bet - I would bet its something to do with either your apex - or the way you 'fixed' your CO2 scrubber.....

Maybe, but a two week lag time to see the effect of the change? It's also hard to explain the change in alkalinity consumption without the corresponding drop in pH being real, I'll double check though.

I haven't cleaned out large amounts of algae, nothing any different than is typical for me.