Low PH

[fish head]

Hi there any advise on low ph 7.4 to 7.6 -
Big tank 1100 gallons
Where to start

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Wow. 1100? Reef tank?

 

[Sm51498]

If you don't run a skimmer, an airstone is a good start. If you do run a protein skimmer, try running a tube outside for fresh air.

Point a powerhead towards the surface to get ripples, this will increase gas exchange and should decrease CO2 in the water. Likewise, if you are getting a film on the surface of the water, try breaking it up. Either powerheads or surface skimming.

If you have a reef, you can start using kalkwasser in your top-up water. This will increase your calcium and alk though. Definitely Google this method as there are drawbacks and dangers to avoid.

I would first get someone to double check your salinity and test your calcium and alkalinity. Your ph is low enough that this could be a contributing factor. This is also the easiest to fix!

Probably the most expensive but definitely effective method is to run a co2 scrubber. Guaranteed to work but costs a lot.

Don't make lots of sudden changes. Do one thin at a time and keep testing.

 

[fish head]

Thank you
Running four gyre 280 so the surface is great- running red dragon 230 pumps-main,closed and refuguim and chiller-jumbo ATB skimmer-piston air pump five air stones five inches long-I think the problem is I turned off the ETSS skimmer so save $$$-refuguim lights stay on 24-hrs-

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

refuguim lights stay on 24-hrs-

Go to opposite schedule.
And according to some you'd be better to break the surface of the water than use bubbles, unless the bubbles are being used for that.
What are you dosing for cal/alc?

 

[fish head]

Calcuim reactor and liquid for alk

 

[morpheas]

For 1100 gallon system the calcium reactor return might be a little too much maybe? Look at the troubleshooting of this article, maybe it will help.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I discuss pH issues and how to raise it here:

pH And The Reef Aquarium
http://www.reefedition.com/ph-and-the-reef-aquarium/

 

[fish head]

Thank you

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

How are you measuring pH? The reason I ask is that I thought I was recently facing the same issues when, in fact, my pH probe just needed calibration o_O

 

[fish head]

Droppers

 

[fish head]

I think I was starving my equipment room with fresh air !!!

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

I think I was starving my equipment room with fresh air !!!

Could very well be. At least that's a relatively easy fix!