Ph not rising during lights on

[jswo]

My tank is a 75 gallon rimless with ati 6 bulb. Checking ph with a apex and was calibrated 1 month ago. Tank is 3 months in so not sure if that matters but the ph is not really rising when lights are on. Both channels are on for 3 hrs at max and 1 hr ramping up. The problem showed up when i shut all the windows and turned in the ac a week ago. Before that it was rising and falling alot when the windows were opened and closed each day.

 

[Flippers4pups]

What's the ph range been since?

 

[jswo]

Was 7.8 to 8.1, now is 7.4 to 7.6.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Okay that's low. What's your water parameters?

 

[jswo]

Before last water change CA=420 ALK 9.2 MG 1400 PHOS 0.0 AMM 0

 

[jswo]

Also have a decent size ball of cheato and cheap light on at night with almost no change in ph. If the lights would raise it i would leave on longer. Going to try to get several houseplants and see if it helps.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Sump? Options are:

CO2 scrubber,

Run outside air line to your skimmer.

Refugium with chetao on a reverse light schedule than your DT lights .

 

[jswo]

34 inch trigger sapphire. Was lookimg hard at co2 scrubber but heard it would only be a .1 gain. In my opinion not worth the money and not so sure i want to run a hose outside with a .1 gain either. Why would ph not rise with lights on

 

[Flippers4pups]

Are you dosing calcium? If so, with what?

 

[ReeferDave01]

I had same exact problem. Added 2 scrubbers got increase of 0.2-0.3. What helped more after I starter dosing 3 part. Now I'm over 8.1 all the time. 350+ gallon total volume

 

[Flippers4pups]

the reason I ask is if you have a ATO, you could add kalkwasser to your top off water. Kalkwasser can help with PH.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/

 

[jswo]

Yup, didnt know if that would raise my alk to much though. Yes have a ato

 

[Flippers4pups]

Good read:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.php

 

[Ty Hamatake]

Yup, didnt know if that would raise my alk to much though. Yes have a ato

This could get a bit dicey, but what are you using for salt? If it's possible (and it may be worth it with your pH dropping so low) you might consider going with a different salt with lower dKH and Ca levels, like regular red sea, and make up with difference with the limewater (kalkwasser in the ATO). CO2 scrubbers could be a good option too, though everyone has a different experience. I had great success with mine raising my pH .5 on average!

 

[jswo]

Just checked ALK 10.2 now after water change. Using reef crystals salt

 

[jswo]

I still would like to hear thoughts on why no raise in ph with lights on please.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Your tank is still very young and the amount of photosynthesis is low. The demand for alk and calcium is low allowing the ph to drop.

Switching to a basic salt like I.O. and adding calcium hydroxide (kalkwasser) to your ATO will aid in stabilizing your PH, while adding calcium and alkalinity.

 

[Flippers4pups]

"What Else Does Limewater Do In An Aquarium? Raise pH When You Need It

In a great many cases, reef aquaria have pH values lower than aquarists might prefer. This low pH comes about from excess carbon dioxide in the water, often either from a CaCO3/CO2reactor, or from excess carbon dioxide in the home air.

In both of these cases, limewater is arguably the best way to raise pH, and I have recommended it for this purpose in previous articles. Figure 6 shows how adding limewater can raise the pH by taking up excess carbon dioxide and adding alkalinity, all without raising alkalinity relative to calcium (since it also adds calcium)."

Taken from the last link.

I've been using kalkwasser for years now, especially with my new house being so tight. But my corals and coraline algae are making me consider going to 2part soon and a dosing unit.

 

[jswo]

Thanks will try IO. Can i add kalk without putting in my ato, want to see the results from it only. My ato isnt on much. Only use about 4 gallons a week

 

[jswo]

Do you know what IO tests at for alk?Same ? for reef crystals