pH range

[Javierati]

I have a pH question.

I was running at 7.95 to 8.1 pH

I have a Nyos 300 with two air intakes. Thinking that CO2 is one of the main drivers of low pH I bought (2) CO2 scrubbers and connected it to the protein skimmer.

pH went from 8 to (8.3-8.42) range.

when I disconnect 1 of the CO2 scrubbers, my range becomes 8.15-8.25

What is best?
8.15-8.25 range
Vs
8.3-8.45

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Best implies an opinion, and begs the question "What criteria?".

Higher pH is expected to lead to faster growth of some hard corals, given other conditions are not limiting growth.

Higher pH can also lead to more precipitation of calcium carbonate on pumps, etc.

The pH range of a typical reef tank is generally Ok from 7.8 to 8.55. Outside that range, issue become more concerning.

What is "perfect?". Depends on your goals.

I ran my tank at 8.30 to 8.55 for years and though that was fine.

 

[Javierati]

Best implies an opinion, and begs the question "What criteria?".

Higher pH is expected to lead to faster growth of some hard corals, given other conditions are not limiting growth.

Higher pH can also lead to more precipitation of calcium carbonate on pumps, etc.

The pH range of a typical reef tank is generally Ok from 7.8 to 8.55. Outside that range, issue become more concerning.

What is "perfect?". Depends on your goals.

I ran my tank at 8.30 to 8.55 for years and though that was fine.

Thank you
I’ve read to aim at 8.3, but once I got there, the pH kept rising a bit to 8.4-8.42 and I got concerned it could be harmful to run the aquarium at those levels.

your post gives me reassurance that 8.3-8.4 pH is ok.

 

[PeterC99]

You will find that your corals will grow significantly faster with the higher pH. Randy is right about precipitation - I was dosing 2 part and got quite a bit of precipitation with the higher pH. Switched to a calcium reactor which does slightly lower your pH. Found nice balance between higher pH (mine tops out now at 8.35) with using calcium reactor and CO2 scrubber.

 

[Reef Jockey]

how does one get their PH to stabilize at 8.2-8.3? My PH seems to like staying at 7.8-8.0. I'd like to raise it a bit to 8.2 but not sure if I need to use a PH buffer or not

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

how does one get their PH to stabilize at 8.2-8.3? My PH seems to like staying at 7.8-8.0. I'd like to raise it a bit to 8.2 but not sure if I need to use a PH buffer or not

This thread has a similar discussion

Best method for high Ph

Hello , actually I'm using all for reef dosing from tropic marin for my reef tank and also a skimbreez to make my Ph higher. But the Ph is between 7,8 at night to 8,15 day time, not so high but ok. But this was in summer with the windows open, now in winter my ph is between7,68-8,05...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Reef Jockey]

This thread has a similar discussion

Best method for high Ph

Hello , actually I'm using all for reef dosing from tropic marin for my reef tank and also a skimbreez to make my Ph higher. But the Ph is between 7,8 at night to 8,15 day time, not so high but ok. But this was in summer with the windows open, now in winter my ph is between7,68-8,05...

www.reef2reef.com

Thanks Randy

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

You're welcome.

Happy Reefing.