Raising PH

Susan Edwards · Apr 29, 2022

crit21 said:
Depends on the time of day. Mine swings by 0.2 daily.

seems to hit 8 after 5 and then down around 8pm

Susan Edwards · Apr 29, 2022

crit21 said:
Unless she's dosing kalk?

Nope. Maybe I should recalibrate the ph probe and see if it is off.

Susan Edwards · Apr 29, 2022

ReefAddict16 said:
Ok that has a high air flow rating. Open your air flow valve all the way, if it’s not already.
If skimmer overflows you can either raise the skimmer or lower the water level. Good luck!

thanks. I'll try opening it a bit more. Water level is a bit high as I just did a water change.

Susan Edwards · Apr 29, 2022

youcallmenny1 said:
I suggest you recirculate the scrubber by hooking the intake up to the lid of your skimmer cup. This resulted in a higher ph for me and makes the soda lime media in the scrubber last a lot longer.

I read some on this and it seems there is a risk of overflow or a mess? Not sure I'm ready for that plus I'd have to drill the top?

Susan Edwards · Apr 29, 2022

Dkmoo said:
+1 on recirculating the scrubber - made all the diff in mine.

Also - it could be that the ambient CO2 in your living room is too high that's actively counteracting your scrubber due to the regular air exchange from the exposed surface areas. If that's the case consider REDUCING the surface water agitation. If you are concerned about o2 b/c the scrubber is recirculating now, you can run a second air pump with outside air directly.

Tank (79") is in a 10x10 room--my home office. I normally also have the 2 back sliders open, and sometimes the livingroom window. Even in winter. Very few days where there is no doors or windows open. Esp the office as I use window to help control humidity (do have a dehumidifier) . I can probably do with less surface agitation. While using reef flux I had more agitation. With cyano in there now I've pointed the gyres down a bit for flow to sand

Susan Edwards · Apr 29, 2022

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
The pH may just be reading lower than reality if it is only peaking at 8.0 in a room with open windows.

I will try to recalibrate the probe because the room has tons of fresh air

Randy Holmes-Farley · Apr 29, 2022

Lionfish hunter said:
There is a chart in the article you shared showing that the ph will rise if alkalinity rises. All things being the same. If I raise my alk from 9.5 to 10.5 with all for reef, my ph should also rise?

Yes, pH will rise at equilibrium with the same air, but only by about 0.04 pH units.

youcallmenny1 · Apr 29, 2022

Susan Edwards said:
I read some on this and it seems there is a risk of overflow or a mess? Not sure I'm ready for that plus I'd have to drill the top?

Just don't skim super wet and it isn't an issue, especially with a larger skimmer. I know some people have put a float valve through the lid to prevent it. It hasn't been an issue for me. Yes you'd need to drill open one of the exhaust holes to attach the 3/8" line from the scrubber though. Feel free to ask if you decide to do it, it works like a charm. I understand your reticence though. Good luck with your ph!