Sandbed hardening - recommendation is to lower ph, but we want high ph for our corals. What to do?

[Fritz05]

I know Randy’s recommendation for a hardening sandbed, but am wondering how to balance no. 3 with the preferred higher ph for corals:

1. Stop all efforts to boost pH.
2. Stop dosing alk for a bit and let it decline.
3. Reduce pH by switching to a low pH alk mix like sodium bicarbonate, or a calcium organic such as Tropic Marin All for Reef.
4. Ensure magnesium is normal to high.
5. Keep organics and phosphate on the high side.

Is the recommendation to keep ph lower indefinitely?

 

[TheSheff]

Just go bare bottom

 

[jda]

pH is your tank is mostly a product of co2 in the air. If your have low co2 in your home, then alk products barely move it - if they do, it is short lived.

What is your pH level during the daytime?

 

[Fritz05]

Just go bare bottom

Can't do that due to my goby/shrimp pair and other sand sifters.

 

[Fritz05]

pH is your tank is mostly a product of co2 in the air. If your have low co2 in your home, then alk products barely move it - if they do, it is short lived.

What is your pH level during the daytime?

Daytime pH is usually 8.2 - 8.3. Before using a CO2 scrubber it was more 7.9 to 8.0. Corals definitely took off after raising ph to 8.2.