What’s happening with my pH

[Dono]

I seriously can’t figure this out.

I’ve calibrated my apex probe three times, and backed up my test with a RedSea pH test. I’m also running the color changing CO2 scrubber media changing our every few days and making sure the CO2 in my home doesn’t go over 500-600ppm.

My tank is setup since the first week of August, and is doing great. I’m dosing 2part (not using a calc reactor). How the hell is my pH still so low?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Let's see how the pH swings back at the next light cycle, but raising the pH somehow may be in order.

 

[Dono]

Let's see how the pH swings back at the next light cycle, but raising the pH somehow may be in order.

Hey Randy, thanks for the response. Here is a bit longer timeline of my pH. The red lines are indications of when I open up ALL of the windows and doors in my apartment.

I definitely think I have a CO2 issue and my scrubber media is changing colors and hooked up directly to my Venturi.

Let me know what you think

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

The trend downward is a concern, if real. Have you recalibrated since that began?

Did anything else change?

 

[Dono]

The trend downward is a concern, if real. Have you recalibrated since that began?

Did anything else change?

Nothing else has changed. My SPS colonies are in the tank, so I’d expect a bit more stability. Even if uncalibrated, I’m still concerned with how aggressive the swings are and clear marks when the windows are opened.

I won’t be back in town until tonight. I’ll recalibrate then but what else could be the cause for these dramatic changes even with a CO2 scrubber hooked up?

 

[CaliberGSD]

I'm having the same issue except even with doors/windows open I cant get to 8.0. The highest my ph has got it is 7.88. I have recalibrated 3 times myself (once even using a different brand of calibration fluid). Newer tank but have much surface movement and even added a skimmer.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Nothing else has changed. My SPS colonies are in the tank, so I’d expect a bit more stability. Even if uncalibrated, I’m still concerned with how aggressive the swings are and clear marks when the windows are opened.

I won’t be back in town until tonight. I’ll recalibrate then but what else could be the cause for these dramatic changes even with a CO2 scrubber hooked up?

The swings do not concern me nearly as much as the actual low attained.

Running out of scrubber capacity will cause a downward trend.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I'm having the same issue except even with doors/windows open I cant get to 8.0. The highest my ph has got it is 7.88. I have recalibrated 3 times myself (once even using a different brand of calibration fluid). Newer tank but have much surface movement and even added a skimmer.

Aeration with high CO2 indoor air may not raise pH. It may even lower it.

 

[Dono]

The swings do not concern me nearly as much as the actual low attained.

Running out of scrubber capacity will cause a downward trend.

Can you explain what you mean running out of scrubber capacity?

The media is currently about 30-40% exhausted right now.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Can you explain what you mean running out of scrubber capacity?

The media is currently about 30-40% exhausted right now.

I meant it being exhausted.

How can you tell when it is exhausted? Color change? I'm not sure how reliable that is.

 

[Dono]

I meant it being exhausted.

How can you tell when it is exhausted? Color change? I'm not sure how reliable that is.

Yea. It’s the color changing BRS Media. Is there a reliable way to test the quality of the material?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Yea. It’s the color changing BRS Media. Is there a reliable way to test the quality of the material?

I've never used it, but a lot of folks go by the pH change in the tank.

 

[Dono]

I've never used it, but a lot of folks go by the pH change in the tank.

Hey Randy, so here’s where I’m confused. I replaced my CO2 scrubber media and there’s a clear increase in pH after about 8p last night but I’ve seen nothing but decline in pH through my photoperiod. Could I be hitting a “ceiling” in pH for my tank?