PH Issue

bobbyreefs · Feb 5, 2019

Been testing every other day as usual. This morning my ph dropped from 8.2 8.4 to 7.4. Only change is that I wrapped my stand on my 40b across the back with black out curtains because I just recently installed an ATS. The ATS has a 16 hour light cycle. My question is..... could I have slowed the gas exchange wrapping my stand? I WAS using glass lids until this mornings test so since yesterday morning until this morning I had glass lids and a wrapped stand. I ulled the lids off when I saw the ph drop today.

Crabs McJones · Feb 5, 2019

Was your sump pretty turbulent? Do you have a skimmer in the sump? It is possible that by closing off the stand, you limited the gas exchange down below, especially if you have a skimmer under there.

redfishbluefish · Feb 5, 2019

How are you measuring pH? That kind of swing is very unlikely unless you have a major carbon dioxide problem.

bobbyreefs · Feb 5, 2019

Crabs Mcjones said:
Was your sump pretty turbulent? Do you have a skimmer in the sump? It is possible that by closing off the stand, you limited the gas exchange down below, especially if you have a skimmer under there.

Not to turbulent but the surface of the water was a little choppy. I do have a skimmer running under there as well.

bobbyreefs · Feb 5, 2019

redfishbluefish said:
How are you measuring pH? That kind of swing is very unlikely unless you have a major carbon dioxide problem.

Api test kit for now.

redfishbluefish · Feb 5, 2019

API not very accurate.

Here's an article from Dr. Randy. Highly suggest not chasing pH. How do the corals and fish look in your tank?

The “How To” Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners,
Part 3: pH

bobbyreefs · Feb 5, 2019

redfishbluefish said:
API not very accurate.

Here's an article from Dr. Randy. Highly suggest not chasing pH. How do the corals and fish look in your tank?

The “How To” Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners,
Part 3: pH

No corals, 1 anemone, 2 fish, and 1 shrimp. All family members look good for now, eating and happy. I just got home and tested again. Now with the lids off all day I'm at 7.8. Coincidence?

bobbyreefs · Feb 5, 2019

bobbyreefs said:
No corals, 1 anemone, 2 fish, and 1 shrimp. All family members look good for now, eating and happy. I just got home and tested again. Now with the lids off all day I'm at 7.8. Coincidence?

I should say that the curtain is still wrapped on the stand, but running no lids.

bobbyreefs · Feb 6, 2019

Update this morning. Ph is between 8.0 and 8.2. It's safe to say that I won't be running the lids anymore but definitely keeping the stand covered on the back just to hide the ATS light. My next purchase will be some different testing gear.