Why has this happened?

[Emma01]

Hi all
I’ve just finished doing my weekly water change as normal and during scraping algae of the glass, before putting the new water in, I got an apex alert to inform me that my PH had gone up to 8.88! (It’s usually about 8.2-8.4)
I’d been using Aptasia X before scraping the algae of the glass.
Why has this happened? Does it need calibration or do I need to start worrying.
I’ve taken the probe out to clean. And it remains the same when I put the probe back in.
I’ve not had this issue before.
Hope someone can help.
Thanks
Emma x

 

[Billdogg]

First, stop worrying about pH. It is, at best, a transitory measurement. Chasing any specific pH reading will just drive you crazy and probably end up affecting other, way more important, parameters (alk and Ca)

My guess as to the reason your pH has temporarily spiked is that in doing your water change you have increased the dissolved O2 by agitation of the tanks water and therefore decreased the dissolved CO2. That's not a bad thing, and the effect will be temporary as your water stabilizes over the next few hours.

FWIW - I have been at this hobby for over 30 years. It has been at least 25 since I last checked the pH.

HTH!

 

[Emma01]

First, stop worrying about pH. It is, at best, a transitory measurement. Chasing any specific pH reading will just drive you crazy and probably end up affecting other, way more important, parameters (alk and Ca)

My guess as to the reason your pH has temporarily spiked is that in doing your water change you have increased the dissolved O2 by agitation of the tanks water and therefore decreased the dissolved CO2. That's not a bad thing, and the effect will be temporary as your water stabilizes over the next few hours.

FWIW - I have been at this hobby for over 30 years. It has been at least 25 since I last checked the pH.

HTH!

Thanks very much for your quick response! I was starting to worry a little.
It’s absolutely true and funnily enough, I rarely ever checked PH pre having an apex. Now that I’ve an apex, it’s some-what addicting to have that ‘number range’.
I’ll stop worrying now.
Once again, thank you.
Have a good day
Emma x

 

[vetteguy53081]

As billdog mentioned.... you don't want to start chasing number. PH will never be constant and I can tell you that most Aptasia product is made up of or contains Kalk which is made into a paste like solution. Kalk will alter and raise PH. My big tank is at 8.08 and cube is 8.56. I have happy coral and thats' what matters. I let the coral talk to me - not the test kiys.
I love my Apex unit but it is rarely accurate other than temperature reading, even after calibration.

 

[Scurvy]

AiptasiaX used in a large enough quantity compared to tank volume can temporarily increase the PH as well. I wouldn't sweat it.

 

[Emma01]

Thanks everyone for your great advice.
I’ve stopped worrying now!
Thanks
Emma xx

 

[ScottB]

Yeah not to pile on, but I agree both points. pH is not important to "manage" and that Aiptasia X is likely kalkwasser paste that will raise pH for a while. No sweat.

I do like that APEX helps us keep track of change though.