Water Problem

Mike628 · Aug 22, 2016

Ph and dkh have been the same for two weeks even while dosing. My water parameters are the following...

pH: 7.7
Dkh: 7
Magnesium: 1380
Calcium: 380
Nitrates: 20
Salinity: 1.026

I have the entire aqua vitro line and I dose 8.4 and calcification. I also have seachem reef builder and reef buffer.

120reefkeeper · Aug 22, 2016

So what are you having a problem with?? None of your parameters are terribly out of order.

Mag is fine
Calcium is right at the bottom limit of fine.
Nitrates not horrible but could be better.....
Salinity is spot on.
Alkalinity is low unless your trying to run a ULNS.
PH is probably low due to excess Co2.

I don't see anything crazy out of whack ....

Please explain what has you concerned. [emoji41]

Mike628 · Aug 22, 2016

120reefkeeper said:
So what are you having a problem with?? None of your parameters are terribly out of order.

Mag is fine
Calcium is right at the bottom limit of fine.
Nitrates not horrible but could be better.....
Salinity is spot on.
Alkalinity is low unless your trying to run a ULNS.
PH is probably low due to excess Co2.

I don't see anything crazy out of whack ....

Please explain what has you concerned. [emoji41]

My ph usually stays a 7.9 to 8, and my dkh is usually an 8 or higher. I dose calcium because I have a lot of encrusting corals and that was low because I didn't dose calcium for a while.

120reefkeeper · Aug 22, 2016

Your a little behind on the cal for having a 7 dkh. You should be at around 410ppm cal at that dkh.

Here is a calculator for you to put in your numbers and help you get back on track.

http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chemcalc.html

As far as the PH is concerned that should also rise with the additional buffer you'll put in. If it's still low you've got a CO2 issue . Open a window or run an airline to your skimmer to an outside air source . If your PH goes up with opening windows etc then it's a CO2 issue.

Increase surface agitation with a power head, return line etc... All these things can help.

120reefkeeper · Aug 22, 2016

Also be careful with chasing numbers, especially PH. Stability is more important than the perfect PH number. Make sure your dosing is gradual to get things back in line .

jsker · Aug 22, 2016

Look into the balling method.

Frop · Aug 22, 2016

120reefkeeper said:
As far as the PH is concerned that should also rise with the additional buffer you'll put in. If it's still low you've got a CO2 issue . Open a window or run an airline to your skimmer to an outside air source . If your PH goes up with opening windows etc then it's a CO2 issue.

Increase surface agitation with a power head, return line etc... All these things can help.

I'm new to reef tanks. Would CO2 help coral growth like it would in a fresh water tank for plants? My pH usually always reverts back to 7.8

120reefkeeper · Aug 22, 2016

Frop said:
I'm new to reef tanks. Would CO2 help coral growth like it would in a fresh water tank for plants? My pH usually always reverts back to 7.8

Actually no. It inhibits oxygen saturation in the water . 7.8 isn't bad... What you don't want is huge swings in the PH. Stability is key. You'll see your system swing .2 to .3 between day and night . This is normal .[emoji51]

Mike628 · Aug 22, 2016

120reefkeeper said:
Your a little behind on the cal for having a 7 dkh. You should be at around 410ppm cal at that dkh.

Here is a calculator for you to put in your numbers and help you get back on track.

http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chemcalc.html

As far as the PH is concerned that should also rise with the additional buffer you'll put in. If it's still low you've got a CO2 issue . Open a window or run an airline to your skimmer to an outside air source . If your PH goes up with opening windows etc then it's a CO2 issue.

Increase surface agitation with a power head, return line etc... All these things can help.

My tank is in my bedroom and I'm in Texas...it's a little hot lol. Also I dont run a skimmer, and I do 4 gallon water changes every week.

120reefkeeper · Aug 22, 2016

Mike628 said:
My tank is in my bedroom and I'm in Texas...it's a little hot lol. Also I dont run a skimmer, and I do 4 gallon water changes every week.

If you can't open a window even at night for a little bit and have no skimmer then surface agitation is all ya got . Lol

You could also purchase a CO2 scrubber but it's another expense buying media.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-color-changing-medical-grade-co2-absorbent.html

Mike628 · Aug 22, 2016

120reefkeeper said:
If you can't open a window even at night for a little bit and have no skimmer then surface agitation is all ya got . Lol

You could also purchase a CO2 scrubber but it's another expense buying media.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-color-changing-medical-grade-co2-absorbent.html

Oh darn haha. So all that will raise is pH?

120reefkeeper · Aug 22, 2016

You would have to hook up the CO2 scrubber to an air pump with an air stone .

120reefkeeper · Aug 22, 2016

Yes CO2 scrubbers work well. A lot of folks have the same issue as you during the summer . House closed up, AC on... No fresh air etc....

You have to do what's right for you.

Mike628 · Aug 22, 2016

120reefkeeper said:
Yes CO2 scrubbers work well. A lot of folks have the same issue as you during the summer . House closed up, AC on... No fresh air etc....

You have to do what's right for you.

I just pointed my powerhead towards the top. How will know if it helps?

Mike628 · Aug 22, 2016

Frop said:
I'm new to reef tanks. Would CO2 help coral growth like it would in a fresh water tank for plants? My pH usually always reverts back to 7.8

Hey sorry we kinda skipped over you. That's a good question that I dont know the answer to...maybe someone else has an answer?

120reefkeeper · Aug 22, 2016

Mike628 said:
I just pointed my powerhead towards the top. How will know if it helps?

Testing PH . If it rises then it helped. [emoji51]

120reefkeeper · Aug 22, 2016

Mike628 said:
Hey sorry we kinda skipped over you. That's a good question that I dont know the answer to...maybe someone else has an answer?

Actually I did answer his question if you look up [emoji6][emoji16][emoji16]

Mike628 · Aug 22, 2016

120reefkeeper said:
Actually I did answer his question if you look up [emoji6][emoji16][emoji16]

Oh my bad haha. I just didn't wanna leave anyone out. I moved my return nozzle to the top. Will this upset my corals at all?

Mike628 · Aug 22, 2016

120reefkeeper said:
Actually I did answer his question if you look up [emoji6][emoji16][emoji16]

Not the best photo, but that's how it looks

120reefkeeper · Aug 22, 2016

Mike628 said:
Oh my bad haha. I just didn't wanna leave anyone out. I moved my return nozzle to the top. Will this upset my corals at all?

No it shouldn't . Good aggressive surface agitation should help some. It might not be the cure all, but it should help. Give it some time . Also get in the habit of checking your PH at the same time of day. It will fluctuate between day and night , early morning and late afternoon. .