PH level and Cheato Growth Rate

[CMO]

My PH level has drop from a range of about 8.05-8.20 to 7.9-8.05 over the past month or so. The only difference over this time that I can think of is that my refugium has become increasingly packed with cheato. If my chaeto has grow to the max capacity of it's space will this effect growth and thus potentially the PH swing? Should I harvest the cheato more regularly to leave room for continued growth and ph stability?

Thanks

 

[pluikens]

I always trim back my chaeto to ensure that there is room for new growth. If I don't do this, I have noticed my nutrient levels rise. I believe it's a combination of decreased space to grow and a decrease in the amount of light that can reach the chaeto because it is packed into the refugium.