Methods to raise PH in a reef tank, please list them and instructions?

[vetteguy53081]

Stability is easier than chasing numbers.
Let the fish and corals talk to you---- you will know when a test or change is needed by their color and appearance

 

[RtomKinMad]

I recommend not to chase Ph unless you are a more advanced reefer and for a specific purpose.

That being said increasing the oxygen in your house is probably the best way. Second would be to run your airline from your skimmer to the outside. Third would be CO2 scrubbing media attached to the skimmer airline.

We live in WISCONSIN and had to do both these things and happy to say it work very well.

 

[vetteguy53081]

We live in WISCONSIN and had to do both these things and happy to say it work very well.

Wisconsin HERE ALSO....Sheboygan AREA

 

[RtomKinMad]

Wisconsin HERE ALSO....Sheboygan AREA

Yes and you’ve helped us so much with all your advice! Our tank is stable now and coral growing thanks to a lot of your advice! Thanks again! We are getting 8’ tank in Chicago this weekend for Sohal!

 

[vetteguy53081]

great TO HEAR AND YES TANK LOOKS g r e a t !!!!!!!!!!
IM AROUND FOR THE MOST PART. FEEL FREE IF YOURE TRAVELING VIA I-43 TO STOP BY. I HAVE THREE TANKS AND ABOUT 5.5 MINS OFF FREEWAY

 

[vetteguy53081]

Yes and you’ve helped us so much with all your advice! Our tank is stable now and coral growing thanks to a lot of your advice! Thanks again! We are getting 8’ tank in Chicago this weekend for Sohal!

TELL McBANNISTER !! Still looking for my excellence award

 

[Seminoles76]

Take the stability advice and don’t chase numbers. 7.8 PH is a fine ingredient for coralline pie.

If you absolutely are dead set on chasing PH, then start dosing Kalk after you have added coral and have a demand signal for Alk/Calc. IMO, Kalk is best when put on a doser and not in the ato. If you are just getting into running a reef tank, Kalk is far superior to both a reactor and 2 part, as it will give you both Alk and Calc in equal proportion and will keep you out of trouble.
Not really sure about the comment downing Kalk.....that’s the first time I’ve heard that in my 12 years of reefing

Another good option as stated is to run either a skimmer line or an air stone line to the outside for a small ph boost.

 

[RtomKinMad]

great TO HEAR AND YES TANK LOOKS g r e a t !!!!!!!!!!
IM AROUND FOR THE MOST PART. FEEL FREE IF YOURE TRAVELING VIA I-43 TO STOP BY. I HAVE THREE TANKS AND ABOUT 5.5 MINS OFF FREEWAY

We would Lov to come see sometime! Thank you! Will PM sometime! Thanks! I’m at Aurora on weekends only now.

 

[tiggs]

I run a skimmerless, refugiumless nano located in a room that doesn't have an open window most of the time. Because of this, my ph was dropping down to 7.6 on some nights. Typically, I never chase ph, but this was getting a little low for my liking. My solution was to add a limewood air stone (connected to an air pump) in one of my back chambers and run it on a reverse lighting schedule. The bubbles never make it into the display and it's not loud. The lowest my ph has dropped since introducing this is 7.9.

Personally, I'm not a fan of user any type of buffer, since it affects alk as well. I have my alk dialed in nicely and maintain an acro-dominant system, so I'd rather not have an extra component in the mix.

 

[gtrider]

agree with not chasing PH. A stable tank is more valuable imo. If you're going to chase anything, chase ALK...everything else will follow.

 

[jda]

Whole house fan on a nice day... be sure and air out the basement too with fans on the floor. This can work wonders in just a few hours.

 

[Jeremy Lain]

Here is a great article about PH in the aquarium by Randy. I know it helped me a lot. There are several more listed in the stickey in the reef chemistry forum as well.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-05/rhf/index.php
http://www.reefedition.com/ph-and-the-reef-aquarium/

If I have time I will be reading these articles. Thank you for the information.

 

[CindyKz]

We live in WISCONSIN and had to do both these things and happy to say it work very well.

Wisconsin here too! Greenfield. About 2 minutes off I-894 and 5 minutes off I-94/43.

My house is closed up tight right now and pH hangs around 8.0 during the day, dips to about 7.78 at night.

To the OP, 7.8 is not an issue. Your tank looks new...just let it do it's thing. Chasing numbers will likely do more harm than good at this point.

ETA: especially if you're measuring with that test kit. They give ballpark number at best.

 

[ClownSchool]

I know there have been questions about proper pH levels to grow coral and coralline. But, what about using a coralline accelerator to promote a higher pH?
If pH raises during the photo period due to the CO2/O2 exchange from photosynthesis, then wouldn’t more coralline in a system create conditions to raise pH?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I know there have been questions about proper pH levels to grow coral and coralline. But, what about using a coralline accelerator to promote a higher pH?
If pH raises during the photo period due to the CO2/O2 exchange from photosynthesis, then wouldn’t more coralline in a system create conditions to raise pH?

Any type of photosynthesis will boost pH, at least during the day. Macroalgae likely photosynthesizes more than coralline, however.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Light has always worked for me and addition of soda ash however dont made soda ash a habitual addition to tank

 

[ClownSchool]

Any type of photosynthesis will boost pH, at least during the day. Macroalgae likely photosynthesizes more than coralline, however.

Thank you.
I’ve started a refugium, but the amount of chaeto I have is small for a 90 gallon system and growth has been slow.