Where do you like your PH?

[T33BLACK]

Just trying to gauge somewhat of a consensus here to see where everybody likes to try to keep their PH mines around 8.0 all the time just wondering if I would get more growth if its better to keep it higher? I've been looking into a co2 scrubber to maybe raise it but wondering if that's worth it? Thoughts?

 

[PeterC99]

Two months ago, I installed an CO2 scrubber. PH went from 7.95 to 8.35. Highly recommend. Have airflow recirculating through skimmer cup. Haven’t changed CO2 media in 2 moths. Corals growing 50% faster.

 

[T33BLACK]

Two months ago, I installed an CO2 scrubber. PH went from 7.95 to 8.35. Highly recommend. Have airflow recirculating through skimmer cup. Haven’t changed CO2 media in 2 moths. Corals growing 50% faster.

That's awesome thanks for the reply I have heard that they grow much faster. My tank is in my basement so not a lot of windows open and thinking the co2 scrubber will do the trick

 

[HuduVudu]

PH changes with the light cycle. Talking about as an exact number is inaccurate. Better to talk about PH in terms of range.

Each tank has a range that depends on the things in the tank. If you think that you have a PH range that is too low it is best to deal with the issues that might be causing it. First off you need to determine what is causing the low PH. Once you have that down then you can figure out what you should do to deal with it. If you don't know what is causing your PH to be depressed then you will just be shooting in the dark with solutions.

 

[T33BLACK]

PH changes with the light cycle. Talking about as an exact number is inaccurate. Better to talk about PH in terms of range.

Each tank has a range that depends on the things in the tank. If you think that you have a PH range that is too low it is best to deal with the issues that might be causing it. First off you need to determine what is causing the low PH. Once you have that down then you can figure out what you should do to deal with it. If you don't know what is causing your PH to be depressed then you will just be shooting in the dark with solutions.

During the day I'm at 7.95 what are some things I can look at to determine what to do to raise it? I just had always heard a co2 scrubber is good to have and being that my tank is in the basement and not much outside air I thought that would be where to start.

 

[DC Reefer]

I use CO2 scrubbers on two of my tanks - I find that coral growth increases as my PH increases (dosing amount increases to keep Alk stable). I know mine is caused by CO2 in the home because when I open the windows I see significant increase in PH (even with the CO2 scrubbers going). I also run a CaRX on one tank which increases the PH.

May not be much of an option during the winter, but open a couple of windows and see if PH increases - if it does, then a scrubber should increase your PH. If you use a scrubber I would do recirculating as the media will last a lot longer. You do need to make sure the media doesn't get soaked. I have the wet issue on one of my tanks and I run an empty reactor between the skimmer and the intake on the CO2 scrubber with some sponges which fixed the wet issue for me.

 

[Uncle99]

8.4 stable and steady if you can achieve that.

 

[HuduVudu]

During the day I'm at 7.95 what are some things I can look at to determine what to do to raise it? I just had always heard a co2 scrubber is good to have and being that my tank is in the basement and not much outside air I thought that would be where to start.

You need to see if ambient CO2 is the issue. Try to air out the area, I know now isn't a good time, and then watch the ph. If the ph is unchanged then ambient CO2 isn't the issue and scrubbers and outside air won't work. You will then need to try to determine what else might be the issue. Maybe a CaRx, or a high bioload.

As I have said guessing here is just going to be a waste of time and most likely money. It is really important to figure out the cause before you implement a solution.

 

[vetteguy53081]

8.0-8.3
Do not go higher, reason- high pH can also be a significant problem in some reef aquariums. In addition to potentially impacting the aquarium inhabitants' health, high pH can lead to other problems including the precipitation of calcium carbonate on objects such as heaters and pump impellers. Such precipitation can also artificially cap the attainable levels of calcium and alkalinity. For these reasons, pH is a parameter that you should monitor.

 

[Pistondog]

I run my skimmer`s air to outside, ph 8.25 in morning to 8.45 at 6pm.
Tried co2 scrubber, which worked, but easier, for me, to run a line thru the floor to outside.

 

[mdb_talon]

Ideally mine would be at 8.2 and stay there all day. In the real world i fluctuate Between about 8.05 and 8.2....usually within .3 of 8.1. I use an outside airline on the skimmer, before that it was more more of a 7.9 average.

I would say just be careful trying to chase a number that you dont cause more problems than you solve.

 

[reddogf5]

Two months ago, I installed an CO2 scrubber. PH went from 7.95 to 8.35. Highly recommend. Have airflow recirculating through skimmer cup. Haven’t changed CO2 media in 2 moths. Corals growing 50% faster.

Good to hear, I set up that same scrubber today in a recirculating configuration.

 

[T33BLACK]

Ideally mine would be at 8.2 and stay there all day. In the real world i fluctuate Between about 8.05 and 8.2....usually within .3 of 8.1. I use an outside airline on the skimmer, before that it was more more of a 7.9 average.

I would say just be careful trying to chase a number that you dont cause more problems than you solve.

Maybe I'll try the outside line 1st Really trying to just get better growth out of the corals

 

[artieg1]

Have not tested pH in years. Alk only.

 

[DaddyFish]

Higher

 

[Dkmoo]

mine flux between 8.2 - 8.3 night/day

very crucial for stony long term health. do the 3 cup randy co2 test to make sure co2 is really an issue and more importantly where the co2 is from, ie (indoor air vs tank source).

if due to indoor air - scrubber will help but may not be to the extent you hoped for b/c while ur skimmer/scrubber is pulling the co2 out, your DT surface agitation, overflow box, sump, return bump is actively bumping "high co2" room air back into your tank.

additional measures include 1) make your room co2 lower - add some plants, open some windows, or hold your breath 2) add additional ph raisers - ie, switch to soda ash for daily alk maintenance - need to be careful to not create big swings. Require daily auto-doser set up with multiple small doses per day - preferably night-skewed to counteract day/night swing. .

 

[mdb_talon]

or hold your breath

 

[HuduVudu]

add some plants

This sadly doesn't work.

 

[Dkmoo]

This sadly doesn't work.

tell that to my wife - due to covid and being stuck indoors she got addicted to the plant hobby and turned our living room into a jungle - no joke 40+ pots of plants and i had to install 5 new LED plant grow light.

at least now she can't complain when i buy more reef stuff

also, fwiw - i initially told her the exact same thing that plant has same day/night o2 co2 cycle so really doesnt impact net CO2, then she excitedly proceeded to school me in plant biology and the fact that certain plants (apparently most of what she bought) are the types that does not release co2 at night while still photosynthesize during the day so would have net positive affect on co2...

 

[Uncle99]

Maybe I'll try the outside line 1st Really trying to just get better growth out of the corals

I blow a small fan across the water surface + outside air to skimmer.