I've had several parameters change suddenly in the past few days but I've made several changes during this time as well. Some parameter changes I understand, some I don't. I will list the changes in parameters first, then list the changes that I've made that somehow caused them, and then a discussion.
60gal cube set up for 10 months; 50 SPS frags.
Changes in parameters (over past 2-3 days):
-pH suddenly dropped from 8.16-8.35 to 8.06-8.25 (most troubling).
-Alk dropped from about 8.4 to 7.4
-Protein skimmer greatly reduced foam production
-NO3 dropped from about 17-20 to about 12-15 (a good thing; aiming for 2-5).
-PO4 dropped from about 0.08 to 0.03 (now dosing a little PO4; aiming for 0.04-0.06).
Changes I made in past 3-4 days:
-Switched from Triton 4-Part to Tropic Marine 3-Part Balling Method; Dosing Mg separately and TM Trace Elements A and K separately (and very sparingly). (Will write up reasons in a different forum).
-Added 1 cup chaeto to HOB refugium. (Chaeto has died 3 times in past 7 mo).
-Started using ZeoVit START and FOOD (vinegar smell).
-Closed windows (due to cold) but skimmer is plumbed to window.
-Added 3" sand (bottom half oolyte; top half slightly coarser) 2 months ago. NO3 seemed to have gone up from 5-10 to 15-20 as a result. Added burrowing snails 4 days ago.
-Started dosing saturated Kalk during the night: every 2 hrs for 6 doses of 2 ml each. (40 gal system)
Discussion and Questions
The drop in Alkalinity is easily explained by the new "learning curve" that came with switching 3-Part systems, but why would the pH drop so much? Unless I'm mistaken, the alkalinity level doesn't "control" the pH, correct?. Instead, pH is dependent on CO2. Although I closed windows, I still have outside air piped to the skimmer. (I will check for leaks, but this seems like it would be too much of a coincidence to start leaking right when all the other factors took place).
Next, why would the skimmer suddenly reduce foam production? The DC skimmer pump had always been set at 40% with the gate valve wide open. Now, I can set it at 95% and close the gate valve a little, and foam still doesn't rise. It has been like this for 2 days. Today (Day 3) it is starting to foam a little, perhaps as a result of me slowly raising the Alk?....now at 7.7.
The lower NO3 and PO4 can more easily be explained: i'm guessing it is due to the ZeoVit START and FOOD. (If so, these products seem to be a great way to lower NO3....in just 2-3 days!
Thanks for any comments.
Before anyone says "frags are too crowded", let me explain: I'm planning to move in about a half year and am just getting a "head start" for my "dream tank."
60gal cube set up for 10 months; 50 SPS frags.
Changes in parameters (over past 2-3 days):
-pH suddenly dropped from 8.16-8.35 to 8.06-8.25 (most troubling).
-Alk dropped from about 8.4 to 7.4
-Protein skimmer greatly reduced foam production
-NO3 dropped from about 17-20 to about 12-15 (a good thing; aiming for 2-5).
-PO4 dropped from about 0.08 to 0.03 (now dosing a little PO4; aiming for 0.04-0.06).
Changes I made in past 3-4 days:
-Switched from Triton 4-Part to Tropic Marine 3-Part Balling Method; Dosing Mg separately and TM Trace Elements A and K separately (and very sparingly). (Will write up reasons in a different forum).
-Added 1 cup chaeto to HOB refugium. (Chaeto has died 3 times in past 7 mo).
-Started using ZeoVit START and FOOD (vinegar smell).
-Closed windows (due to cold) but skimmer is plumbed to window.
-Added 3" sand (bottom half oolyte; top half slightly coarser) 2 months ago. NO3 seemed to have gone up from 5-10 to 15-20 as a result. Added burrowing snails 4 days ago.
-Started dosing saturated Kalk during the night: every 2 hrs for 6 doses of 2 ml each. (40 gal system)
Discussion and Questions
The drop in Alkalinity is easily explained by the new "learning curve" that came with switching 3-Part systems, but why would the pH drop so much? Unless I'm mistaken, the alkalinity level doesn't "control" the pH, correct?. Instead, pH is dependent on CO2. Although I closed windows, I still have outside air piped to the skimmer. (I will check for leaks, but this seems like it would be too much of a coincidence to start leaking right when all the other factors took place).
Next, why would the skimmer suddenly reduce foam production? The DC skimmer pump had always been set at 40% with the gate valve wide open. Now, I can set it at 95% and close the gate valve a little, and foam still doesn't rise. It has been like this for 2 days. Today (Day 3) it is starting to foam a little, perhaps as a result of me slowly raising the Alk?....now at 7.7.
The lower NO3 and PO4 can more easily be explained: i'm guessing it is due to the ZeoVit START and FOOD. (If so, these products seem to be a great way to lower NO3....in just 2-3 days!
Thanks for any comments.
Before anyone says "frags are too crowded", let me explain: I'm planning to move in about a half year and am just getting a "head start" for my "dream tank."