Severe Overnight PH Drop?
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Katrina71
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In other words, your pH could have killed off some stuff allowing other bacteria to suddenly reproduce. It robs oxygen out of the water. If it were mine, I'd pull your powerhead up as far to the surface as you can to keep pulling fresh air into the water. (Agitate the surface)
Hybrid Ken
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I think just about any light on the rear sump/refuge (used at night only) for a temporary fix for a very short term is better then nothing if just to lesson or stabilize the PH swing.
It’s in the display, so it makes sense.
Honestly, that swing (and in an api) is no big deal.
Sumpless. Aqua clear 70 hob fuge.
Tested ph like 9 times in 3 years.
Don’t chase numbers imo.
Butnfor the op , some way to add oxygen will help. Either small fuge in back or small skimmer
MnFish1
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I guess I disagree - there is no way the pH can. drop from 8.3 to 7.4 because macroalgae was added - Maybe im misunderstanding you - whether is in a display - a refugium, etc - its all the same water. Frankly - I use my apex for pH - but my guess is that this is test error.It’s in the display, so it makes sense.
Honestly, that swing (and in an api) is no big deal.
Sumpless. Aqua clear 70 hob fuge.
Tested ph like 9 times in 3 years.
Don’t chase numbers imo.
Butnfor the op , some way to add oxygen will help. Either small fuge in back or small skimmer
Exactly. It’s an api.
7.4 is........almost nutral ph.
In a tank with no reverse fuge that kinda swing is NBD. It’s light brown to almost purple.
And not likely.
MnFish1
10K Club member
An d nice tankIt’s in the display, so it makes sense.
Honestly, that swing (and in an api) is no big deal.
Sumpless. Aqua clear 70 hob fuge.
Tested ph like 9 times in 3 years.
Don’t chase numbers imo.
Butnfor the op , some way to add oxygen will help. Either small fuge in back or small skimmer
Yup.
Real concern in the lidded cubes is oxygenation. Co2 and ph is just an indication of this. It’s kimda unique from most ph probs.
Ariel V Rosa
Active Member
From the fist picture you posted the water seemed a bit not clear wich would lead me to belive you might have a water borne bacterial bloom eating uo all the oxygen. That will really knock your PH super low. As far as lighting some macro algae in the back compartment you can use any average 6500k led from home depot at night. It really doesnt take much. If your Quaroum has a lid covering the whole thing then just grab some of those strip LEDs that are the right color temperature glue thwm on there and done.
Dr. Dendrostein
Marine fish monthly
I think the water macroalgae in, had high carbon food, like sugar, vinegar, volka. Will never know? Carbon dosing increases certain bacteria and increase CO2 from bacteria so ph will drop. If ph rebounds then maybe something in the water?any idea what would cause a tank ph to drop from 8.3 to 7.4 in one day? The absolute lowest it has been since set up was 8.0. All I did was add a small amount of Macroalgae last night to my 16G Biocube. Any ideas are appreciated!
johnanddawn
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Reading any ammonia is not a good thing and the cloudy water leads me to believe something died in the tank
Now; it wasn't the pH dropped that killed it, that's backward cause and effect, something died causing the bacterial bloom, the bacterial bloom added to the normal day/night pH swing that you noticed.
In a small tank (especially a relatively young tank) something a small as a snail decomposing under a rock can cause a small bloom or it could have been the algae itself. Caulerpa is notorious for going sexual which could also be to blaime
Again as many have said, your going to have pH swings in small tanks without a reverse lit refuge and in general its not a big deal unless you decide to start keeping more sensitive organisms. There are many many hardy critters that won't even notice.
As far as the cabbage leather that is relatively normal behavior, they tend to be fussy, and very seldom look there best, but even so are very hardy just not all that pretty much of the time
So do as other have suggested. surface agitation, SMALL water change, ect. and ride it out - the bacteria should come back in line.
Now; it wasn't the pH dropped that killed it, that's backward cause and effect, something died causing the bacterial bloom, the bacterial bloom added to the normal day/night pH swing that you noticed.
In a small tank (especially a relatively young tank) something a small as a snail decomposing under a rock can cause a small bloom or it could have been the algae itself. Caulerpa is notorious for going sexual which could also be to blaime
Again as many have said, your going to have pH swings in small tanks without a reverse lit refuge and in general its not a big deal unless you decide to start keeping more sensitive organisms. There are many many hardy critters that won't even notice.
As far as the cabbage leather that is relatively normal behavior, they tend to be fussy, and very seldom look there best, but even so are very hardy just not all that pretty much of the time
So do as other have suggested. surface agitation, SMALL water change, ect. and ride it out - the bacteria should come back in line.
OP
OP
LaraLouM
Active Member
Ok I will look to see if my two hermit crabs are hiding dead anywhere. Otherwise I just have a tiger conch and he’s way to big to miss. But those hermits hide so well I can only find them part of the time.
I’ve been working on surface agitation and have been keeping the lid open to help with oxegentation. Things seem to be improving, besides the ugly cabbage lol... but I’m glad to know he’s not dying.
Ariel V Rosa
Active Member
Is that clown fish alone in the tank? Lone clownfish are homicidal maniacs, snails and hermits being thier favorite play thing. Keep your clowns in pairs.
