the underlying reason for this post is because i have a montipora digitata that doesnt extend polyps. its growing, and still alive, but the polyps do not extend outside of their skin. the LFS that i bought it from, suggests that it might be from PH stability. based on everythiing else, its the only thing that makes sense.
my ph during the day is 8.1 or 8.2 (im using a red sea kit, so you have to rely on color matching. its over 8.0 for sure based on colors).
just before lights on, my ph was at about 7.6-7.8. again, having to rely on color matching, but it was definately below 8.0 based on colors.
my main issue with PH is that there is a swing between night and day, naturally, but i want to reduce the big swing that there is between night and day.
calcium-450
alk 9.5
temp 78
salinity 1.025
mag-1440
nitrate 7-10
phosphate- 0-.02
ammonia-0
all of the above stats are quite stable. these same readings are what i see for the last 4 weeks, at the least.
ive tried, for extended periods of time, through different par levels, and it doesnt change the outcome. lower pars, it has a better look to it, but not full extension as it should.
since my only thought that could cause an issue, would be the PH stability, going off of someone that has a beautiful coral shop, and seems to really know his stuff, i want to at least try doing as he suggests, since it makes sense enough to me.
with all of that said, im running a sump setup, and have my skimmer line running outside for fresh air. i have fair surface agitation, so any gas exchange should be good, assuming that the co2 in this room isnt too high for good exchange. during the summer, keeping a window open wont be an option as it would lead to temps being too high (dont have central a/c, so i have to run a portable a/c unit to keep this room cool-without it, ambient temps would be 90, so you can imagine tank tems), so what the setup is right now, is probably as good as its going to be, but im not against adding things to help.
as an example i got an insane deal on a brand new reef octopus kalkstirrer for 60 bucks. whether i will add it, maybe not, but i have it in case i find that i need it.
co2 scrubber-if i have the airline for the skimmer running outside, i really shouldnt need a co2 scrubber, right? unless of course outside has high co2.
i have a refugium, but i havent actually used it for chaeto growth, and i know that will help with some co2, if i run it during the evening.
i can also increase my base alkalinity a bit too, but i feel that 9.5 is a good point to be at. raising alk should increase PH, but it still wont alleviate teh swing.
i guess, with what i do have, what would others suggest? im open for ideas and suggestions with my current setup.
my ph during the day is 8.1 or 8.2 (im using a red sea kit, so you have to rely on color matching. its over 8.0 for sure based on colors).
just before lights on, my ph was at about 7.6-7.8. again, having to rely on color matching, but it was definately below 8.0 based on colors.
my main issue with PH is that there is a swing between night and day, naturally, but i want to reduce the big swing that there is between night and day.
calcium-450
alk 9.5
temp 78
salinity 1.025
mag-1440
nitrate 7-10
phosphate- 0-.02
ammonia-0
all of the above stats are quite stable. these same readings are what i see for the last 4 weeks, at the least.
ive tried, for extended periods of time, through different par levels, and it doesnt change the outcome. lower pars, it has a better look to it, but not full extension as it should.
since my only thought that could cause an issue, would be the PH stability, going off of someone that has a beautiful coral shop, and seems to really know his stuff, i want to at least try doing as he suggests, since it makes sense enough to me.
with all of that said, im running a sump setup, and have my skimmer line running outside for fresh air. i have fair surface agitation, so any gas exchange should be good, assuming that the co2 in this room isnt too high for good exchange. during the summer, keeping a window open wont be an option as it would lead to temps being too high (dont have central a/c, so i have to run a portable a/c unit to keep this room cool-without it, ambient temps would be 90, so you can imagine tank tems), so what the setup is right now, is probably as good as its going to be, but im not against adding things to help.
as an example i got an insane deal on a brand new reef octopus kalkstirrer for 60 bucks. whether i will add it, maybe not, but i have it in case i find that i need it.
co2 scrubber-if i have the airline for the skimmer running outside, i really shouldnt need a co2 scrubber, right? unless of course outside has high co2.
i have a refugium, but i havent actually used it for chaeto growth, and i know that will help with some co2, if i run it during the evening.
i can also increase my base alkalinity a bit too, but i feel that 9.5 is a good point to be at. raising alk should increase PH, but it still wont alleviate teh swing.
i guess, with what i do have, what would others suggest? im open for ideas and suggestions with my current setup.