So frustrated!

[Yates273]

I know your not suppose to chase PH but what gives. I have my skimmer hooked up to a CO2 scrubber which is also hooked up to an outside line. The outside line is currently turned off since I’m utililizong the scrubber. If and when the ph got up to 8.3 valve would open and let in fresh air. Doesn’t look like that’s gonna happen. The first dip was before I installed the scrubber amd you can see how my ph elevated but then look what happened last night it dipped all the way down again while connected to scrubber amd it is struggling to go above 7.7 today. I don’t understand. I’m at a loss and frustrated since I want my ph to be somewhat elevated closer to natural seawater. I also have a little surface agitation. I tried both ways with and without but that doesn’t seem to do anything either
water temp 78
Phosphates .02
Alkalinity 9.5
Calcium 502
Magnesium 1600. All test are done with Hana amd the magnesium is done with Red Sea

 

[esther]

Does anything look bad in your tank? Maybe recalibrate your probe? I have a pH pen that I use as backup to my GHL probe. Maybe buy one and test with a second probe? Also, what salt mix do you use?

 

[cshouston]

What CO2 media are you using? I’ve definitely had some problems with the BRS media for some reason. One bag never even changed color, as if it was spent before I even opened it. Two Little Fishies is more expensive, but has worked better. Ultimately, I bought a bag of veterinarian use soda lime which is much cheaper and works fine.

 

[Yates273]

I use Reef Crystals amd yes. Some of my montis are darker than usual and it looks like I’m losing a brain coral frag. All other corals utter chaos thorn coral Duncan’s torch amd other euphyillas as well as my JF Lepto and freeze factor lepto look great and are growing.

 

[Yates273]

I started with IceKap media and doing the recirculating method.

 

[Pistondog]

I know your not suppose to chase PH but what gives. I have my skimmer hooked up to a CO2 scrubber which is also hooked up to an outside line. The outside line is currently turned off since I’m utililizong the scrubber. If and when the ph got up to 8.3 valve would open and let in fresh air. Doesn’t look like that’s gonna happen. The first dip was before I installed the scrubber amd you can see how my ph elevated but then look what happened last night it dipped all the way down again while connected to scrubber amd it is struggling to go above 7.7 today. I don’t understand. I’m at a loss and frustrated since I want my ph to be somewhat elevated closer to natural seawater. I also have a little surface agitation. I tried both ways with and without but that doesn’t seem to do anything either
water temp 78
Phosphates .02
Alkalinity 9.5
Calcium 502
Magnesium 1600. All test are done with Hana amd the magnesium is done with Red Sea

Remove the co2 scrubber and run the outside line 24/7.
The tank surface is another air interface.
My skimmer air comes from outside, but since the house is closed now, elevating co2, the average ph is 0.1 lower.

 

[Yates273]

I will give that a try but even when I wasn’t using a CO2 scrubber and used outside air the highest my ph got to during the day was 8.06.

 

[Yates273]

How’s this pen anyone use it

 

[esther]

I bought this one. Works great.

 

[Pistondog]

I will give that a try but even when I wasn’t using a CO2 scrubber and used outside air the highest my ph got to during the day was 8.06.

The air in the room is likely high in co2, causing low ph via gas interface with water surface.

 

[Yates273]

The air in the room is likely high in co2, causing low ph via gas interface with water surface.

So cut back on any surface agitation?

 

[dadnjesse]

I wouldn't use those metal fittings you have on there.

 

[Yates273]

It’s just one brass fitting and no water goes through that just air.

 

[Pistondog]

So cut back on any surface agitation?

No, thats a bad idea.. There's little you can do without lowering the room co2.
To verify the theory, crack a window for a few hours and watch the ph rise.

 

[Yates273]

In basement no window near tank. I did do the test amd took water outside aerated amd it did raise ph. But I figured if I already had a lone plumbed outside and attached to my skimmer that should help.

 

[Pistondog]

It helps.

 

[Yates273]

Success!! Added a little more surface agitation with CO2 scrubber. Going on 2 weeks and media still has not changed color one bit.

 

[Dr. Jim]

What CO2 media are you using? I’ve definitely had some problems with the BRS media for some reason. One bag never even changed color, as if it was spent before I even opened it. Two Little Fishies is more expensive, but has worked better. Ultimately, I bought a bag of veterinarian use soda lime which is much cheaper and works fine.

Ah ha! I haven't seen my media turn color ever and I am using the BRS. I've been assuming I have a leak (or maybe the outside air CO2 isn't high enough to affect it...but less likely I'm guessing). I've been through two sets of reactors (each with 2 in series) trying to figure this out. I did wonder if I got media that doesn't turn color but the bag is labeled as "color-changing."

Has anyone else using the BRS media seen a problem like this?

Thanks cshouston for posting this!