Ph tester

[HockeyRooster]

I think want to monitor my ph. I previously bought 2 of the cheap pen types. The first lasted a year and then died. The one I replaced it with never worked.

So should I buy another cheapie? Another option is a used pinpoint with a 2 month old probe for $100. What does r2r suggest?

The thought of having to buy a new probe yearly makes me hesitant to buy the pinpoint but let me know if that’s the best thing to do. Or maybe I shouldn’t worry about ph at all???
Thanks

 

[Ron Reefman]

This is just my opinion, and others may differ. But I think a lot will also agree.

Why do you even want a pH meter? Once you have a tank established the pH is what it is. About the only concern anybody should have is if they live up north in a very well sealed house. Then the C02 goes up in the house and the pH goes down in the tank. Other than that...

I haven't tested pH in my tanks for more than 10 years.

 

[HockeyRooster]

Thanks. I just thought ph was something I ‘should’ check. I’d rather not spend the time, money and frustration on testing if I don’t have to.
I do however, live really far north (Edmonton, most northern major city in Canada) but we have a new furnace that draws outside air all winter.
I also use reef builder as the only supplement I add to the tank (manually) and it says it maintains the ph at 8.3.

 

[Ron Reefman]

That is up north alright! ;Hilarious;Hilarious

Reef Builder may bump pH up to 8.3 when you add it. But in 30 minutes your pH will be mostly back were it was before you added it. pH is driven by C02 and oxygen in the water. More C02 and lower pH, more oxygen and higher pH. The best way to get C02 out of the water and raise pH is to have good water movement at the water surface. That promoted gas exchange between the water and the air. If your house isn't too high in C02, then C02 will got to where there is less (the air) and oxygen in the air will go to where there is less (the water).

Some people even hook up the air intake to their skimmer to an airline that runs outside to get better air!

 

[HockeyRooster]

yeah, lets just say we get a lot of winter.

I have good surface agitation via the wier and drain so I think this along with the skimmer should exchange a lot of co2 out. Maybe I should grab a cheap ph test pen and check it throughout the winter.
I like the idea of an outside air source but my house is so sealed up I won’t be able to get a line outside.