pH swing during water change a concern?

[StrangeDejavu]

My water change schedule usually looks something like this.

-Take 5 gallons from Brute which is filled with 0 TDS DI water.
-Add Reef Crystals @ 1.026 and let mix for 24 hours.
-Test new water and do 25% WC.

What i'm noticing is my tank tends to float around 7.8 and the newly mixed water is usually 8.0 - 8.1. Is this gap cause for concern? I noticed last night after my WC, my Hammer polyps retracted a little and my Bangaii glass surfed for about 10 minutes just after the WC. Everything else looked fine beyond that. So, keep doing what i'm doing or should I be making changes to bridge this gap? If so, how would I go about that?

I know not to chase pH, but this has been something i've been curious about for a bit.

 

[Mattrg02]

What is your ph after the water change?

 

[StrangeDejavu]

What is your ph after the water change?

Last night when I checked, 8.0. But first thing this morning I was getting 7.8. So I guess the question is: Is a quick 0.2 pH swing stressful/harmful?

 

[Mattrg02]

I could be wrong, but doubtful that would cause any issues. I'm guessing you matched temperature within a few degrees?

 

[twilliard]

Do you test your alkalinity in the new water before changing?

 

[StrangeDejavu]

Yes, I match temp and salinity exactly before changing. I notice my RC always mixes real cloudy so may have something to do with it.

I test the parameters each time since i'm transitioning from regular IO to RC still, almost fully switched over. My Cal went up from 410 to 425 since last week, Alk remained around 9.5 and Mag is floating around 1300 consistently.

 

[twon8]

You shouldn't mix reef crystals up that far ahead. The extra stuff in reef crystals that isn't in IO degrades once mixed in water.

 

[Mattrg02]

Cloudy may be a possible reason. Your water should be crystal clear before you use it. My RC always mixed clear.

 

[twilliard]

Sounds like precipitation
I was a long time user of RC but when adding buffers it precipitated so I switched.

 

[Mattrg02]

Sounds like precipitation
I was a long time user of RC but when adding buffers it precipitated so I switched.

Which do you use now? I've been using RC but just recently began to move back to Neomarine due to the relatively high alkalinity of RC vs my low nutrient tank.

What's odd is that his parameters seem fine despite whatever is precipitating out.

 

[twilliard]

I use neomarine also!
It has proven to me that it is the most stable for my tank conditions.

 

[Mattrg02]

I use neomarine also!
It has proven to me that it is the most stable for my tank conditions.

Well if it's good enough for you, it's good enough for me. ;-)

 

[twilliard]

Well if it's good enough for you, it's good enough for me. ;-)

I love the salt!
Has never failed me for many years

 

[Mattrg02]

I love the salt!
Has never failed me for many years

How long do you let it mix? Do you wait 24hours, or just until it's clear?

 

[twilliard]

How long do you let it mix? Do you wait 24hours, or just until it's clear?

I let it mix for about 2 hours
Its so consistent that I only spot check now for alkalinity

 

[StrangeDejavu]

You shouldn't mix reef crystals up that far ahead. The extra stuff in reef crystals that isn't in IO degrades once mixed in water.

I don't understand, you're saying don't let it mix that long? I used to do water changes same day when I first started and I was told I should let it mix overnight.

 

[StrangeDejavu]

It's strange, IO mixed crystal clear. I mix RC the same way and it always looks milky, even if you give it a day to mix. When I make the water, I have an RW-4 set for powerhead mixing the DI water. Then I slowly add my salt over the course of 30 seconds or so. I have no idea what would be causing precipitation.

 

[Sabellafella]

No the change would be minimal, whay do you test ph with?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I don't understand, you're saying don't let it mix that long? I used to do water changes same day when I first started and I was told I should let it mix overnight.

Some mixes with high alk and calcium will have some precipitation that is helped by the heating the heaters or powerheads drive.

But IMO, it is not really a concern since these mixes may benefit from a drop in alk anyway.

I stir my normal IO overnight then store it for weeks unstirred.

 

[StrangeDejavu]

No the change would be minimal, whay do you test ph with?

pH pen, calibrated it when I first bought it. I've compared to API pH and it's always been the same.