pH dropping like crazy! Help!

[daniel_mourra]

So my average pH has been 8.0-8.1 in my 200 gal reef. For some weird reason and not doing anything difrerent the pH has dropped heavily to 7.7.

I am measuring with 2 perfectly calibrated milkwakee double junction probes: a newly calibrated milwakee sensor conected to apex. Also measured against a milwakee MW102 lab grade calibrated pH sensor both indicate the same. My toher tnaks remain 8.1-8.3… so its definetly NOT a calibration issue. When placed into cal fluid they resd 7.02 and 10.01… so they are calibrated 100%

Also ALKALINITY consumption has skyrocketed… my average is 8.5 dKh no its down to 8.0 which doesnt seem much but to hold it i am dosing almost aditional 25 ml (50% extra) of all for reef just to keep up…. Usted to be 50 ml daily now its 75 daily and its still dropping! It even dropped to 7.8 which ive never seen in my tank before.

Amount of people in the living room = same
Flow = same
Surface agitation = same
Recirculating skimmer and C02 media = same

What is going on???

@Randy Holmes-Farley i believe this is a chemical issue… could it be?

 

[George03]

how is the magnesium levels? My searches mention high acidity due to organic breakdown. Where I live it is suddenly so dry I have gone through half of my ato rodi in 2 days. I don't know if that could be a factor, that is just a variable I noticed.

 

[NeedMoreReef]

pH swing at night is normal. and 8 to 7.7 isn't that much. A few things you can try... opening your door or window in the morning, let fresh air into your house. Also, reverse daylight your refugium if you have one.

another Old trick/ test is to remove a gallon or so of tank water, oxygenate well and see if pH increases. This will confirm high CO2.

 

[daniel_mourra]

how is the magnesium levels? My searches mention high acidity due to organic breakdown. Where I live it is suddenly so dry I have gone through half of my ato rodi in 2 days. I don't know if that could be a factor, that is just a variable I noticed.

Mg has been also dropping.

 

[daniel_mourra]

pH swing at night is normal. and 8 to 7.7 isn't that much. A few things you can try... opening your door or window in the morning, let fresh air into your house. Also, reverse daylight your refugium if you have one.

another Old trick/ test is to remove a gallon or so of tank water, oxygenate well and see if pH increases. This will confirm high CO2.

Thanks! I will try that.

 

[Uncle99]

Been down road before.
PH very hard to measure accurately.
I’ve not measured it since 2015.
Wasted tons of money on tests.
Never made any difference whatsoever.
Use methods to maximize PH, but forget the test.

 

[exnisstech]

This was a good read.

pH and the Reef Aquarium - REEFEDITION

by Randy Holmes-Farley For many aquarists, pH is not something that they have much experience with aside from their aquarium. For many, pH is almost a black box measurement: something to be considered, but whose physical meaning makes little sense to them. This article will Read more here...

www.reefedition.com

 

[mcarroll]

8.0-8.1 in my 200 gal reef. For some weird reason and not doing anything difrerent the pH has dropped heavily to 7.7

I dunno what's going on with the inconsistencies you mentioned, but 8.0-7.7 is a normal daily variation.