Severe pH fluctuation

[Om84]

I got an apex few weeks ago and noted the following. I have been dealing with stabilizing my pH and things actually really improved after adding kalk to my ATO. I was maintaining a pH between 8.0 - 8.2. Last night I started getting alerts for dropping pH. Went as low as 7.53 in a matter of 5 hours. I wondered if it could be due to a party I was having in my condo with 10-12 people over. The AC was on and Windows were closed. I opened the windows and as guests started leaving pH began to climb up and this morning it is almost near baseline. Question is is this severe of an effect normal and expected? My sps corals during all this time looked normal with good PE. Nothing seemed stressed. Is a fluctuation like this going to affect my corals in future or crash my tank? What am I going to do when I have to keep my windows closed in the winter (I’m in Chicago)?

Thanks

 

[madweazl]

The extra people in the house produce more CO2 which translates to a reduction in pH. It will come back to normal within a day after everyone leaves. Everything will be fine.

 

[Om84]

I get that. I’m wondering about how quick this happened and if this translates to affecting corals.

 

[Dkeller_nc]

Short pH spikes like that won't really affect your corals. Longer term drops into the 7.5 range will, however. There are several solutions to this - one's to run an airline from your skimmer outside. Another's add a heat recovery air exchange unit, though this is an expensive option. Finally, you can add a CO2 scrubber to the airline of your skimmer, though you will need to replace the media when exhausted.

 

[madweazl]

I get that. I’m wondering about how quick this happened and if this translates to affecting corals.

In 25 years of reefing, I've never had pH be a major factor in the health of my tank; again, dont worry about it. Everything will be fine.

 

[Lithoman]

In 25 years of reefing, I've never had pH be a major factor in the health of my tank; again, dont worry about it. Everything will be fine.

I understand what your saying don't chase PH.. My concern is everyone talks about stability but don't chase numbers....
My tank spikes this way every day.. drives me nuts.. around midday no one home it drops like the op's then back up..
cant be good on fish or corals.. just can not figure out the cause.

 

[madweazl]

I understand what your saying don't chase PH.. My concern is everyone talks about stability but don't chase numbers....
My tank spikes this way every day.. drives me nuts.. around midday no one home it drops like the op's then back up..
cant be good on fish or corals.. just can not figure out the cause.

It doesnt spike, it happens over the course of 12 hours and has no noticeable effect on the fish or inverts. Dont worry about (all of our tanks do the same thing).

 

[Lithoman]

Thanks for the vote of confidence.. this is what happens now with the PH.. you say good.. I'll quit chasing.

 

[lapin]

Ill say "good"
Perhaps your guests were dumping soda water in your tank *_*