Raising ph in nano using AFR

[jonone]

I have a 25g nano and I’m using AFR I’m increasing stocking levels but at the minute I only need about 2ml per day to maintain a dkh of 8 and a calcium level of 450
My ph sits around 7.9before lights on and goes up to about 8/8.1 by end of the day.
So not terrible I guess.
I was wondering with such small amounts could I get a bump in ph by adding some kalk along side the AFR, obviously this would be a small amount but I guess I have room to increase my dkh slightly
Or is it cleaner / easier to switch to a two part like reef zelements ph plus? Not sure which one will would give more of a ph bump compared to the alkalinity increase ?
I roughly loose 2 gallons of water a week to evaporation.
Can some one please help me with maths on how much kalk I could add etc
Thanks

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

No, that amount of demand, even if all of it were kalk has only a small pH raising effect. I think if you want to raise pH, you will need to look to other methods.

 

[jonone]

Thanks randy, kind of figured that maybe the case.
I decided in my head that it maybe easier to try RZ ph plus but like you say it would be a similar amount dosed so low for now so the ph boost will also be small I guess

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks randy, kind of figured that maybe the case.
I decided in my head that it maybe easier to try RZ ph plus but like you say it would be a similar amount dosed so low for now so the ph boost will also be small I guess

If you mean hydroxide, it has the same boost as kalk. :)

 

[rishma]

I have the same size nano. I use Kalk and AFR. I tried lots of things to elevate pH. Aeration with outdoor air was the most effective for me and I still do that today.

 

[jonone]

If you mean hydroxide, it has the same boost as kalk. :)

Well I guess reef zelements ph plus is based on hydroxide ?
How about something like brightwells ph boost + in my situation ? Or do you not recommend products like that

 

[jonone]

I have the same size nano. I use Kalk and AFR. I tried lots of things to elevate pH. Aeration with outdoor air was the most effective for me and I still do that today.

Into a skimmer ? I don’t run a skimmer sadly

 

[rishma]

Into a skimmer ? I don’t run a skimmer sadly

No skimmer needed. I use a large air-stone and a large air pump.

 

[Rhetoric]

I dose all for reef so I don't have to worry about chasing numbers. For me it's about work v.s. reward.

I don't want to do more work for marginal rewards (diminishing returns) I'm content with the simplicity of AFR and what I get as a result.

My 20 runs a very similar PH and I feel like I'm doing just fine.

If your chasing PH, AFR probably isn't the right path.

 

[jonone]

No skimmer needed. I use a large air-stone and a large air pump.

You have the airtime in the sump or display ? It’s a aio ?

 

[jonone]

I dose all for reef so I don't have to worry about chasing numbers. For me it's about work v.s. reward.

I don't want to do more work for marginal rewards (diminishing returns) I'm content with the simplicity of AFR and what I get as a result.

My 20 runs a very similar PH and I feel like I'm doing just fine.

If your chasing PH, AFR probably isn't the right path.

Well that was my exact goal, simplicity…
I’m sure my ph is probably fine also, I guess it just means corals will grow slower which in a nano is not always a bad thing
I’d just like things to be optimal if achievable without to much extra hassle

 

[Rhetoric]

It took me awhile to get where "I don't care" about all the fancy gadgets and methods.

My 20 is SUPER simple.

Return pump, heater, ATO and a single dosing pump for AFR.

 

[jonone]

It took me awhile to get where "I don't care" about all the fancy gadgets and methods.

My 20 is SUPER simple.

Return pump, heater, ATO and a single dosing pump for AFR.

Yeah that was how mine was setup also, I have a controller for the heater and floss.
I’ve since made it more complicated by adding a second dosing pump and another light for more spread/ attempting mangroves in the rear chamber

 

[rishma]

You have the airtime in the sump or display ? It’s a aio ?

It’s an AIO. I have the air stone in the first chamber where the water flows in.

I don’t really agree with the whole don’t chase numbers thing. This entire forum is about numbers. Whether it’s worth the effort to target a particular parameter is fun to debate and depends on one’s goals.

pH is a parameter I chose to target. I don’t argue it’s required for a successful reef.

The last 24 hours…

 

[jonone]

It’s an AIO. I have the air stone in the first chamber where the water flows in.

I don’t really agree with the whole don’t chase numbers thing. This entire forum is about numbers. Whether it’s worth the effort to target a particular parameter is fun to debate and depends on one’s goals.

pH is a parameter I chose to target. I don’t argue it’s required for a successful reef.

The last 24 hours…

Wow and that’s just from the air stone?
Do you mind sharing your pump air stone and any filter on the intake end….
Looks like a good option

 

[rishma]

Here is the thread
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/m...-outdoor-aeration-ph-boost-stability.1084802/

 

[Poseidon03]

Wow and that’s just from the air stone?
Do you mind sharing your pump air stone and any filter on the intake end….
Looks like a good option

Let's look at scope first.

What corals do you have? How old is the tank? How's your coraline algae coverage/coral coverage?

Why do you want to increase pH? Is it based on something you read that says it is better? Is your tank not doing well? Are you trying to chase sps growth? Are you trying to chase lps growth? Are you trying to chase softy growth?

Remember, stability is key. Any incremental increase in growth is tossed out the window if what you do is not stable. Best long term method that is stable, easy to implement, and has the least potential to fail.

 

[jonone]

Let's look at scope first.

What corals do you have? How old is the tank? How's your coraline algae coverage/coral coverage?

Why do you want to increase pH? Is it based on something you read that says it is better? Is your tank not doing well? Are you trying to chase sps growth? Are you trying to chase lps growth? Are you trying to chase softy growth?

Remember, stability is key. Any incremental increase in growth is tossed out the window if what you do is not stable. Best long term method that is stable, easy to implement, and has the least potential to fail.

Tank is 6 months old
Has some coraline growth, mainly small LPs adding some more sps in the coming weeks
Tank is doing fine at slightly lower ph but I’d like to achieve the optimum if easily achieveble for better growth / health of the corals which is normally associated with slightly higher ph

 

[rishma]

I am not sure that the slightly higher pH helps with coral health but it does seem to increase growth.

Given it’s a new tank early in the journey, I’m confident pH is not going to be the thing that makes or breaks success.

 

[jonone]

I am not sure that the slightly higher pH helps with coral health but it does seem to increase growth.

Given it’s a new tank early in the journey, I’m confident pH is not going to be the thing that makes or breaks success.

Sure
But not a bad thing to strive for either ?