Ph swing

[ViciousDlishus]

Just had some tests done on my home insulation. This required them to put a fan on my front door and suck in outside air through anywhere and everywhere. Just went to look at the tank and see some stn. I've done a ph test and it's around 8.5-8.6 from 8.2 how can I get this back to normal. Should I fiddle with it or is the damage done and let it go back normally.

 

[Brew12]

Just had some tests done on my home insulation. This required them to put a fan on my front door and suck in outside air through anywhere and everywhere. Just went to look at the tank and see some stn. I've done a ph test and it's around 8.5-8.6 from 8.2 how can I get this back to normal. Should I fiddle with it or is the damage done and let it go back normally.

How long did this testing take? And can you post the rest of your numbers, especially Alk?

8.5 to 8.6 seems awful high from just adding outside air. Do you normally use buffer to keep it at 8.2?

 

[ViciousDlishus]

How long did this testing take? And can you post the rest of your numbers, especially Alk?

8.5 to 8.6 seems awful high from just adding outside air. Do you normally use buffer to keep it at 8.2?

Probably 30 to 45 min. But it probably sucked a bunch of stale air in from the insulation attic and wall cavities.

Temp stable around 80.9 for past four days
Salinity stable at 1.025
Alk has been at 9.5 on the 12th 15th and today (16th)
Cal 440 (12th) didn't test yesterday 470 (16th)

I'm dosing kalk in ato. 2.5 tsp in just over 3 gallons (upped from 2 tsp last wed)

 

[redfishbluefish]

I can't see pH getting that high in a properly buffered tank. How are you measuring pH?

I'd be more concerned about that high temperature. Get that down.

 

[ViciousDlishus]

I can't see pH getting that high in a properly buffered tank. How are you measuring pH?

I'd be more concerned about that high temperature. Get that down.

This is a frag /coral qt tank to clarify. Very little sand and some live rubble with hob filter.

 

[Brew12]

I don't think that the pH is due to the fresh air. Did you notice your ATO emptying faster than normal? I'm wondering if the testing increased evaporation in your tank leading to more kalk being introduced. This would cause a pH spike.

If this is what happened I think you need to wait it out but you may want to stop adding kalk since I would thing Calc and Alk would also have gone up more than normal (but might still not be a big enough change for a test to read).

 

[tgrick]

My solution to get PH down quick (I use kalkwasser also) is seltzer water. But what everyone is saying above is correct and the reason needs to be figured out 1st.

 

[burninreefer]

I don't think it was a air problem, there must have been dust/spores/asbestos from old insulation. in my system I ignore my ph with no problems. I have a ph probe, but I do nothing to control ph. if you keep all your numbers stable and in an acceptable range the ph should be fine. personally id drop the water temp to 78-79. your water temp is on the high end and when corals get stressed things like ths will speed up problems. unfortunantly when bad things start its usually too late. to save sps frag it or glue the stn/rtn

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Just had some tests done on my home insulation. This required them to put a fan on my front door and suck in outside air through anywhere and everywhere. Just went to look at the tank and see some stn. I've done a ph test and it's around 8.5-8.6 from 8.2 how can I get this back to normal. Should I fiddle with it or is the damage done and let it go back normally.

Even if real, it's not a concern.