Skimmer less tanks and low ph?

[pilot108]

So I have a 29 gallon and a 12gallon tank and I do 10-20% water changes every week and I don't run protein skimmers on either one.

So my question is how do you people with skimmerless tanks keep your ph up over 8?

Both my tanks stay between 7.4-7.8 ph

 

[Elementalj]

So I have a 29 gallon and a 12gallon tank and I do 10-20% water changes every week and I don't run protein skimmers on either one.

So my question is how do you people with skimmerless tanks keep your ph up over 8?

Both my tanks stay between 7.4-7.8 ph

Open a window and agitate the surface sounds like that's what's left. Other than dripping kalk I've got nothing.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

surface agitation. what kind of filters are you using/ aquaclears break the water surface a lot. And im not a chemistry expert, but from what I understand I believe 7.4 is hard to get. id retest that one.

 

[Elementalj]

surface agitation. what kind of filters are you using/ aquaclears break the water surface a lot. And im not a chemistry expert, but from what I understand I believe 7.4 is hard to get. id retest that one.

Wouldn't you see precipitation going that low? I know I've seen pH boosters from someone like brighwells, but you shouldn't be using that stuff regularly IMO

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Wouldn't you see precipitation going that low? I know I've seen pH boosters from someone like brighwells, but you shouldn't be using that stuff regularly IMO

yea and the rock should start to dissolve too. lol.
I pers dont like to mess with my cal alk to fix my PH. Im lazy. Airstone.
I for a few years always wondered why the lfs said my PH was lower than what I read at home. The water I took sat in a jar. juts sayin, that changes ph.

 

[pilot108]

surface agitation. what kind of filters are you using/ aquaclears break the water surface a lot. And im not a chemistry expert, but from what I understand I believe 7.4 is hard to get. id retest that one.

I also tested it with a hi range ph test kit from API results matched my apex
It's a 29 gallon bio cube the return is pointed at the surface for agitation.

The tank is mostly lps and soft corals and they all look pretty good but as I move towards keeping sps corals I'm worried about the low ph

 

[Kershaw]

What's your alk? My 125 with skimmer. Runs at 7.6 to 7.9. And I can keep sps.

 

[pilot108]

Well I just tested my alk with Hanna checker but then realized my regent expired last month but it read 4.5 meq/l I'll have to order me regent and try again

 

[Elementalj]

Well I just tested my alk with Hanna checker but then realized my regent expired last month but it read 4.5 meq/l I'll have to order me regent and try again

Amazon has it in a two-pack! [emoji6]

 

[GoVols]

So I have a 29 gallon and a 12gallon tank and I do 10-20% water changes every week and I don't run protein skimmers on either one.

So my question is how do you people with skimmerless tanks keep your ph up over 8?

Both my tanks stay between 7.4-7.8 ph

Open your windows and let fresh air in :)

 

[gcrawford]

Kalkwasser in ATO.....

 

[GoVols]

Kalkwasser in ATO.....

+1

 

[GoVols]

FYI...
The most hard core PH reefer I ever read.
Stated that he'd hired a local AC company to run a small duct pipe from the outside and joined it up to his homes AC squirrel cage blower. He had a bypass put on to cut the duct off when he didn't want to suck in the outside air.

 

[Elementalj]

FYI...
The most hard core PH reefer I ever read.
Stated that he'd hired a local AC company to run a small duct pipe from the outside and joined it up to his homes AC squirrel cage blower. He had a bypass put on to cut the duct off when he didn't want to suck in the outside air.

Now THATS how you do it! [emoji122][emoji122][emoji122][emoji122]

 

[pilot108]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I'm going to look into a kalk reactor in the future.

 

[GoVols]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I'm going to look into a kalk reactor in the future.

FYI,
A lot of reefer's just use those famous 5 gallon jugs and dose kalk with a ATO system. The Tunze's ATO pump fits perfectly in those jugs and you wouldn't have to buy a reactor. :)

 

[sneub]

I heard of whole house air exchange units, they remove a portion of the indoor and draws in outdoor air effectively reducing CO2.

 

[Frop]

I also tested it with a hi range ph test kit from API results matched my apex
It's a 29 gallon bio cube the return is pointed at the surface for agitation.

The tank is mostly lps and soft corals and they all look pretty good but as I move towards keeping sps corals I'm worried about the low ph

Apex.. that's what my nano needs :pP

Idk I keep all my windows and door closed for basically the last half a year and my PH is aways 7.8, maybe 7.9 if I'm lucky, on my nano (~13 gallons total). Offset my lighting with the refugium. I don't dose anything. Only 1 return pump and a powerhead facing the surface of the water. No skimmer either. Never seen below 7.8.

 

[Vaughn17]

I run Aqueon HOBs on three small reef tanks (20, 38, and 40). Grow sps, including acros, and pH is 8.3/8.2. Been doing this for 4 years and no tank crashes. A 180 was delivered today, as I need more room, so I will soon have a sump and a skimmer for the first time.