High PH in FOWLR tank

CasperOe · Mar 9, 2023

Hi Reefers,

I am running a 150 gallon well stocked FOWLR tank, and I have recently noted an increase in PH. For filtration, i run a Octo Regal 150 skimmer, Clarisea 3000 roller mat and a refugium (10 hrs. Over night)

My trend over the last three months are between 8.1 - 8.3.

The only thing i have recently changed is the introduction of a Rowaphos reactor.

I am measuring the following values:

8.85 - PH Probe (Reef Factory) - faulty?
8.53 - PH Probe (Reef Factory KH Keeper Plus)
8.50 - Hanna PH Checker

Both of the probes are freshly calibrated.

Q1 - Is slightly elevated PH such as the one i am experiencing bad for my fish?
Q2 - What would the better way to slightly lower this?

Thanks,

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 9, 2023

High pH (above pH 8.6 or so) in a FOWLR would usually always be test error unless the alk was super high since there's not that much photosynthesis to push pH up.

Aeration lowers high pH if the alk is not too high.

CasperOe · Mar 9, 2023

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
High pH (above pH 8.6 or so) in a FOWLR would usually always be test error unless the alk was super high since there's not that much photosynthesis to push pH up.

Aeration lowers high pH if the alk is not too high.

Thanks Randy, appreciate your advice!

Alkalinity is measuring:
8.30 - Hanna
8.34 - KH Keeper Plus