Low PH

[steve 1965]

Hi I have been battling low ph for a couple months now. My ph drops at night to 7.8 and maybe will reach 8.1 by the end of that day period. My basement co2 has been running around 420 to 500 ppm depending on how long I’m down there. I have a hose running outside into a co2 scrubber. I also have a line running off of the top of my skimmer recirculating air through co2 scrubber. I run a refuge and lights are on at nights. I dose sodium carbonate(Washing Soda) calcium chloride. Magnesium chloride all a part of Randy’s home made recipe. My DKH on Trident is 8.7, Cal 456 Mag 1375. I was adding Kalk but all that does is cause my DKH to spike above 9.0. I do carbon dose Tropic Marin bio pellets and their NP balance. Could carbon dosing be the issue ? My tank does look great corals look good. So should I even be concerned? Red Sea 625 mixed reef. Thanks Steve

 

[eliaslikesfish]

I personally wouldn’t be too concerned about the pH fluctuation and would probably let it be if everything is thriving.

 

[FishLvR]

Dont chase those numbers. It looks like everything is just fine.

 

[steve 1965]

Can carbon dosing with Tropic Marin NP BALANCE along with TM BACTO pellets cause ph issues? Also thinking about adding TM reef acctiff salt into my mixture

 

[FishLvR]

Can carbon dosing with Tropic Marin NP BALANCE along with TM BACTO pellets cause ph issues? Also thinking about adding TM reef acctiff salt into my mixture

DOOOD your tank looks great DONT MAKE MY MISTAKES. Look at my threads my tank is a mess because I could not leave well enough alone.

 

[ryanjohn1]

If the tank looks good don’t touch it. It’s the hardest thing in the hobby to do.

 

[Solo McReefer]

Your tank looks great

I would double and triple check with different calibrated pH meters or testers before doing a thing

Additionally

What does you fresh mixed ready to go saltwater pH at? That will tell you immediately if your probe is off. If my fresh salt water is 8.2 and my tank is, with the same tester, 7.8-9; only then would I consider that there is a pH sink in the tank

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Can carbon dosing with Tropic Marin NP BALANCE along with TM BACTO pellets cause ph issues? Also thinking about adding TM reef acctiff salt into my mixture

Nearly all types of organic carbon dosing tend to lower pH by generating CO2.

 

[hoffmeyerz]

Tank looks great! Don't go trying to fix a problem that isn't there.
Your tank has settled in to that parameter and is living with it very well, enjoy it :)

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

very surprised that even with a scrubber, your ph stays that low. I open a few windows in basement and that helps a lot. I am however unable to run my intake hose outside. Also, not please with how fast the thing goes through scrubber media. I get from 7.9-8.3.

 

[Sophie"s mom]

Listen to what people are telling you. If you go down that rabbit hole of chasing the perfect numbers, you will screw things up! Yes numbers are important to a degree, but you have let your tank tell you how it is doing.

 

[GARRIGA]

Fuge/ATS solved my pH which struggled getting over 7.5. Didn't realize carbon dosing was assisting with lowering in it. Algae much better nitrate solution that also strips co2

 

[paragrouper]

You should not be overly concerned with your PH readings. First, PH testers are not always the most accurate of instruments. Second, your tank does not appear to be suffering any ill effects.

Since I crossed this path myself about 6 months ago, this is my advice: get a cheap CO2 meter for your house. Often times, the biggest improvement that. Can be made is simply realizing you need more fresh air; both for your tank and the rest of you living there.

 

[Elireef]

It is possible that your pH meter may require recalibration. Occasionally, the solution to an issue can be quite simple.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

It is possible that your pH meter may require recalibration. Occasionally, the solution to an issue can be quite simple.

now this made me recalibrate my probe on my milwaukee. 8.3ph. Happy with that with a basement tank