Unexpected Rise in PH...

[MadDog2229]

I had a bit of a heart attack over the 4th of July weekend. We were north about 3 hours, and I was watching my Apex just to see what was going on and I noticed a big rise in PH... It rose from 8.4 where I've had it pretty much pegged up to 8.71. I've been dosing B-ionic 2 part but my Calcium just wasn't being consumed enough (no SPS at the moment....have some in quarantine for another 3 weeks)...
It's a Nuvo EXT 40 tank. Last night I replaced my Maxspect Ethereal with a RedSea ReefLED 90. I'm running a refugium with a Ulva and a Kessil H80. Any idea what's causing these unexpected rises in PH?
As far as Parameters:
DKH 7.8 (slowly rising towards 8)
Nitrate: 7.4
Phosphate 0.14 (I'M WORKING ON THIS ONE!)
Cal: 514

 

[HuduVudu]

@MadDog2229 where you dosing just the calcium?
What is your water change schedule look like?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Lack of excess CO2 in the home air is likely.

 

[MadDog2229]

@MadDog2229 where you dosing just the calcium?
What is your water change schedule look like?

I'm changing 25% weekly. Also, why would there be excess CO2 when no one was home, no people or even dogs...

 

[HuduVudu]

I'm changing 25% weekly. Also, why would there be excess CO2 when no one was home, no people or even dogs...

pH is lowered by CO2 so there not being a source of people around to make CO2 will increase the pH.

CO2 dissassociates in the water as carbonic acid. Acids lower pH. Therefore, no acid is going to raise or at the very least not lower the pH.

If there were people present before and they made a bunch of CO2 which turned into acid then they will depress (lower) the pH. If they are gone then the CO2 that they are producing is gone and the acid is gone and the pH will be at a higher level.

Hope this helps.

 

[MadDog2229]

pH is lowered by CO2 so there not being a source of people around to make CO2 will increase the pH.

CO2 dissassociates in the water as carbonic acid. Acids lower pH. Therefore, no acid is going to raise or at the very least not lower the pH.

If there were people present before and they made a bunch of CO2 which turned into acid then they will depress (lower) the pH. If they are gone then the CO2 that they are producing is gone and the acid is gone and the pH will be at a higher level.

Hope this helps.

No it does, makes sense, I'm surprised that 4 people, in a 4000 sq ft house would have that kind of an impact so quickly... Maybe I'll see what happens when I get home from work. I'll post the update today...

 

[HuduVudu]

No it does, makes sense, I'm surprised that 4 people, in a 4000 sq ft house would have that kind of an impact so quickly... Maybe I'll see what happens when I get home from work. I'll post the update today...

So I am going to put on my shill hat and suggest that you buy a CO2 meter. Best piece of aquarium equipment you can own. So much of what happens in our tanks is a direct result of CO2 and it is icredibly important to know where it is.

If you are bored you can read about my adventures with CO2 on my build thread.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

No it does, makes sense, I'm surprised that 4 people, in a 4000 sq ft house would have that kind of an impact so quickly... Maybe I'll see what happens when I get home from work. I'll post the update today...

Remember other sources too, like a gas stove (if you have one), which also isn't being used.