PH Question

[412Reef]

Hi All,

My PH has been at 7.0 and hasn’t made any movement for a few days. I know it’s supposed to be stable. However, I opened up the doors to my canner under the tank and it raised to 7.7 in a matter of a few hours. I obviously don’t want RJ leave the cabinet doors open all of the time. The back is open. I was curious if folks have adopted any methods to get more airflow or “fresh air” in thier sump cabinets? As I said the back is open already, it is against the wall, and is about 6 inches from the wall. Thanks!

 

[Mahi51212]

Run a tube from your skimmer air intake outside of the cabinet if just opening the cabinet doors keeps it raised. Also are these numbers peak of light or off peak? PH naturally fluctuates during non peak light hours unless you are running a co2 scrubber

 

[Fish Fan]

I don't think your pH was 7.0, that's very low.

I also don't think there could possibly be that large a difference in the concentration of CO2 (what drives pH) under the stand compared to the room, especially if the back is open.

Let me ask what you're using for testing pH?

Personally, I wouldn't worry about it if your tank looks good. Most reef tanks struggle to run up at a pH of 8.3, and many if not most run at chronically low ~7.8 or so. Many reefers here at R2R do not measure pH at all. In my opinion, it's not worth chasing ideal pH unless you're growing corals professionally or competitively.

I hope this helps!

 

[allof fish]

I also agree. Either your alk and salt it shouldn’t ever be that low. What are you using to test? I agree either run skimmer outside or at a co2 scrubber to help but don’t also have to be super concerned trying to get to 8.3

 

[fish_collector]

It may be a little less at 6am before the lights come on but this is typically where mine runs. Good gas exchange with surface agitation and oversized skimmer as well as soda ash does wonders for pH. But yes 7.0 is probably an error.

 

[412Reef]

I don't think your pH was 7.0, that's very low.

I also don't think there could possibly be that large a difference in the concentration of CO2 (what drives pH) under the stand compared to the room, especially if the back is open.

Let me ask what you're using for testing pH?

Personally, I wouldn't worry about it if your tank looks good. Most reef tanks struggle to run up at a pH of 8.3, and many if not most run at chronically low ~7.8 or so. Many reefers here at R2R do not measure pH at all. In my opinion, it's not worth chasing ideal pH unless you're growing corals professionally or competitively.

I hope this helps!

Currently using the calibrated Apex Probe

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

pH 7.0 in a reef tank is almost certainly a test error. Live rock and sand would be dissolving at that pH, raising the pH back up and sending alkalinity through the roof.